“Racing at home gives me extra motivation” – João Almeida leads Portuguese-heavy UAE Team Emirates lineup at Volta ao Algarve
Cycling
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.
Home leadership, home pressure
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.
Depth over dependency
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.
Confidence built early
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.
Ready to fight
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.
UAE Team Emirates - XRG for 2026 Volta ao Algarve
| Rider |
| Joao Almeida |
| Rui Oliveira |
| Ivo Oliveira |
| Brandon McNulty |
| Antonio Morgado |
| Felix Grossschartner |
| Lorenzo Giami |
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment