No Almeida, no problem? Adam Yates leads UAE Team Emirates' Maglia Rosa charge at the 2026 Giro d'Italia as he looks to follow in brother Simon's footsteps

UAE Team Emirates - XRG have confirmed their lineup for the 2026 Giro d’Italia, with Adam Yates stepping into the role of team leader following the late withdrawal of Joao Almeida.

Almeida had been widely expected to spearhead the Emirati squad’s general classification ambitions, but his absence forces a reset in approach. Rather than arriving with a clearly defined GC hierarchy, UAE instead bring a more flexible setup built around Yates, supported by a mix of proven Grand Tour experience and emerging talent.

Yates comes into the race in strong condition, having won the general classification at O Gran Camiño earlier this season, and now has the chance to lead UAE at the Giro for the first time in several years.

“Not having João Almeida will change our strategy slightly, but we still have big ambitions and still want to go for results,” Yates said ahead of the race. “Personally, I feel like the shape is good and if things go our way we can have a good crack at the GC and animate the race.”

That wording reflects the shift in tone. UAE are not framing themselves as the outright team to beat, but they are clearly not stepping back either. Yates’ consistency across three weeks, combined with his experience as a former Tour de France podium finisher, gives the team a credible route into the Maglia Rosa battle.

Around Yates, UAE have assembled a lineup that offers options across different terrains rather than focusing solely on GC support. Jhonatan Narvaez brings proven Giro pedigree, including a stage win and time in the Maglia Rosa, making him a clear stage-hunting threat. Marc Soler adds further experience and attacking intent, while Mikkel Bjerg offers strength against the clock and on flat terrain.

Igor Arrieta returns after playing a key support role in last year’s race, and there is added intrigue in the inclusion of Grand Tour debutants Jan Christen and Antonio Morgado, both of whom have already shown a willingness to race aggressively in their short professional careers.

Despite the late change in leadership, UAE arrive with one of the strongest recent records in the race. The team have finished on the podium in each of the last three editions, with Tadej Pogacar winning the 2024 Giro d’Italia, Almeida finishing third in 2023, and Isaac Del Toro taking second overall in 2025.

That consistency underlines the team’s ability to remain competitive even when plans change, and provides context for their continued ambition in 2026.

Without Almeida, the Giro presents a different type of challenge for UAE. Rather than building around a single, clearly defined GC contender, they enter the race with a leader in Yates and a supporting cast capable of influencing the race in multiple ways.

Whether that approach proves enough to challenge the likes of Jonas Vingegaard remains to be seen, but the intent is clear. UAE may not arrive in their expected form, but they are not arriving to sit back.