“Racing at home gives me extra motivation” – João Almeida leads Portuguese-heavy UAE Team Emirates lineup at Volta ao Algarve

While attention has been fixed on the UAE Tour in the Middle East, UAE Team Emirates - XRG are simultaneously rolling out one of their strategic line-up in Portugal. At the Volta ao Algarve, the Emirati squad arrive with clear leadership, local strength and multiple layers of contingency.

At the centre of those plans is João Almeida, who will spearhead the team’s general classification ambitions on home roads in one of the most competitive stage races on the February calendar.

For Almeida, the Algarve is never just another early-season assignment. Racing in Portugal brings expectation as well as motivation, and UAE have built their line-up accordingly.

“It’s a pleasure to be back racing in Portugal and with the home support,” Almeida said. “The Algarve always has a demanding course, especially with Foia, the time trial and Malhao. We come with a balanced team and pretty high ambitions.”

That balance is central to UAE’s approach. Rather than placing all responsibility on one rider, the squad has been constructed to give Almeida protection, alternatives and tactical flexibility across the five days.

Alongside Almeida, UAE will lean on a strong Portuguese core, with Rui Oliveira and Ivo Oliveira lining up on familiar roads. Their presence strengthens both the emotional and practical foundations of the team, particularly in the frantic opening stages where positioning and local knowledge often decide outcomes before the climbs even begin.

Crucially, UAE are not reliant on a single GC scenario. Brandon McNulty provides a second high-level option for the overall classification and a proven ally in both mountainous terrain and against the clock. His inclusion allows UAE to race proactively rather than defensively if the standings begin to shift.

The team’s versatility is further underlined by the presence of Antonio Morgado, whose explosive style gives UAE another card to play on selective uphill finishes, while Felix Grossschartner adds experience and control in the mountains.

Rounding out the line-up, Lorenzo Giami steps up from the Gen Z squad, gaining exposure at WorldTour level within a protected, high-functioning environment.

Almeida arrives in the Algarve with form already established, having opened his season with a podium finish at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. That result, he says, has reinforced belief within the group.

“Valenciana was a good test, and I was pleased with the podium result there,” Almeida explained. “The guys have shown already how strong they are going, so racing with such a strong group gives a lot of confidence.”

That confidence is not just individual. It reflects UAE’s wider early-season strategy: spread leadership, stack depth, and allow races to be won through control rather than desperation.

With sprint opportunities, summit finishes, and a decisive time trial all shaping the Algarve this year, UAE’s line-up is designed to remain competitive regardless of how the race unfolds. The team will be guided from the car by sports directors Simone Pedrazzini and Tomas Gil, overseeing a group selected as much for cohesion as raw ability.

For Almeida, the motivation is clear. “Racing at home now this week gives me extra motivation,” he said. “We’re ready to fight for a good overall.”

As UAE Team Emirates - XRG continue to assert their depth across multiple fronts this February, the Algarve offers another early test of how effectively that ambition can be converted into results on European roads.