UAE chase cycling history in 2027 - Analysing how Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro fit in team determined to win all three Grand Tours
Cycling
UAE Team Emirates XRG is aiming to make cycling history in 2027. After once again dominating the international calendar with Tadej Pogacar as its leading figure, the Emirati team has set its sights on a feat achieved by just one team so far: winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España in the same season.
Joxean Fernández Matxín makes no secret of his ambition and has already admitted he wants to repeat Jumbo-Visma's 2023 achievement.
The challenge could reshape the plans of some of the squad's biggest stars. UAE has several riders capable of leading a three-week race, but how it allocates their objectives will be crucial. Isaac del Toro is one of the leading candidates for the Giro d'Italia, while Pogacar is virtually certain to ride the Tour de France and has shown particular interest in returning to the Vuelta.
This is about more than simply adding individual victories. Matxín wants UAE to achieve something it has yet to manage, despite its considerable collective dominance in recent years. To do so, the team must balance its leaders' ambitions with a plan that allows it to compete for all three Grand Tours without leaving any of its contenders short of support.
UAE's team manager has named the major challenge he wants to take on in 2027. In an interview with Eurosport, Matxín admitted that winning all three Grand Tours in the same season is one of the goals that excites him most.
“I don't look back at what we've achieved; I look ahead, at what we still have left to accomplish. The chance to go beyond those five Tour victories with a sixth, and the ambitious dream of winning all three Grand Tours in the same year,” he explained.
Tadej Pogacar at the 2026 Tour de France
Matxín has one obsession: repeating Visma's 2023 feat
He was even more direct when asked which achievement he was especially keen to pursue: “What am I striving for right now? I won't deceive you: what Visma achieved, winning the Giro, Tour and Vuelta in the same year.”
The benchmark is Jumbo-Visma's 2023 season, when the team was known by that name; it is now Visma-Lease a Bike. That year, Primož Roglič won the Giro d'Italia, Jonas Vingegaard took the Tour de France and Sepp Kuss completed the set with victory at the Vuelta a España. Three different riders, three Grand Tours and a display of depth no other team has managed to match.
UAE wants to emulate that feat with a squad featuring several of the peloton's top riders. The difference is that the Emirati team has a dominant figure in Pogačar, whose presence shapes much of its planning. The Slovenian is the team's leading star, and his schedule must serve both his individual ambitions and the collective goals.
Pogacar targets the Tour and has unfinished business at the Vuelta
Tadej Pogačar's schedule will be one of the key considerations in UAE's preparations for 2027. His main goal is to return to the Tour de France and try to claim a sixth victory, surpassing the record he currently shares with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
However, the world champion's calendar could also include a second Grand Tour. Pogačar has already said he wants to return to the Vuelta a España after abandoning the 2026 edition. The UAE rider withdrew after a crash while wearing the red jersey, with victory seemingly within reach. A win would have completed his collection of triumphs in all three Grand Tours.
The Slovenian himself has said he would like to combine the Tour and Vuelta next season. “I would prefer to ride the Giro, but I'll have to do La Vuelta at some point. I think that will be my goal for next year: the World Championships, combined with the Tour and La Vuelta,” he told Slovenian broadcaster RTV SLO.
His agent, Alex Carera, has also indicated that a return to Spain appears more likely than another Giro start. The representative believes Pogačar has unfinished business with the Spanish race after what happened in 2026.
This combination of goals would allow UAE to keep its biggest star in two Grand Tours while reserving the Giro for another leader. The team could then try to win all three races with different riders, following the model that made Jumbo-Visma history.
Tadej Pogacar in action during stage seven of the 2026 Vuelta a España
Del Toro could take the next step and lead UAE at the Giro d'Italia
Isaac del Toro's big opportunity could come in Italy. The Mexican has already shown he is ready to contend for the general classification in a Grand Tour, and his progress over recent seasons has made him one of the squad's most important riders.
His second place at the 2025 Giro d’Italia was one of the finest performances of his career. Del Toro wore the maglia rosa for much of the race and lost the lead only on the penultimate stage, when Simon Yates snatched the overall victory. That experience showed he can sustain a Grand Tour challenge for three weeks, even against far more experienced rivals.
He took another step forward in 2026 with third place at the Tour de France. The Mexican rode as part of the team supporting Pogačar and finished on the Paris podium, confirming that his ability is not limited to one race or a particular type of course.
A return to the Giro as team leader would mark a new phase in his development. He would no longer have to share the spotlight with Pogačar or ride in a supporting role. Instead, he would take responsibility for fighting for the overall win. The opportunity would fit UAE’s ambition to spread its leaders across the three Grand Tours.
However, Matxín has stopped short of confirming that Del Toro will race in Italy. Asked about the plans for the Mexican and Pogačar, the team’s sporting manager declined to reveal any decisions.
“Riders like Del Toro and Pogačar will be contenders for victory in any race. What I can guarantee is that we will have a balanced team and a season in which everyone gets their opportunities,” he explained.
Read also
João Almeida could also be key to UAE’s goal
The Mexican is not UAE’s only option for the Grand Tours. João Almeida remains one of the most important riders in the squad, and his experience in three-week races makes him central to any ambitious plan.
The Portuguese finished second at the 2025 Vuelta a España, where he fought an intense battle with Jonas Vingegaard. He has also shown he can compete for the overall standings at the Giro and in other stage races. His presence gives UAE a reliable alternative if Del Toro follows a different programme or the team decides to spread its leadership even further.
The squad also includes Adam Yates and Brandon McNulty, both of whom can bring experience and strong performances in three-week races. The team’s depth is precisely what allows Matxín to consider such an ambitious goal.
The question is what role each rider should take. If Del Toro leads the Giro, Almeida could have other duties on the calendar or become an option for the Vuelta. If the Mexican follows a different programme, the Portuguese could also target another Grand Tour as team leader.
The table shows the options available within the squad, not an official allocation of race numbers or leadership roles. The team still needs to finalise its decisions and assess which programme will bring out the best in each rider.
| Rider | Possible role in 2027 | Status |
| Tadej Pogačar | Tour leader and possible Vuelta leader | Has expressed a desire to race both |
| Isaac del Toro | Possible Giro team leader | Programme not confirmed |
| João Almeida | Alternative leader for a Grand Tour | Has podium experience in three-week races |
| Adam Yates | Mountain support or possible team leader | Programme yet to be decided |
| Brandon McNulty | Option for stage races | Can add depth to the squad |
The 2025 precedent shows a clean sweep is no pipe dream
UAE came close to achieving this goal in 2025. The Emirati team had riders on the podium at all three Grand Tours, although it failed to win any of the races that slipped away to its main rivals.
Pogačar won the Tour de France, while Isaac del Toro finished second at the Giro and João Almeida took the same place at the Vuelta a España. The Mexican reached the final week of the Italian race in the maglia rosa but eventually lost the lead to Simon Yates. In Spain, Almeida stayed in contention with Vingegaard until the final days, but had to settle for second place.
The team showed it had riders capable of challenging for the overall title at all three Grand Tours, but fell short of completing the job with three wins. That precedent matters because it shows Matxín’s goal does not necessarily depend on bringing in new leaders. Instead, UAE can make better use of a squad that already has several options.
The 2026 season was also shaped by setbacks. UAE finished with 78 wins, but crashes affected the availability of numerous riders. Matxín said 18 of the squad’s 30 riders suffered injuries during the season and that the team recorded 78 crashes.
Pogačar’s withdrawal from the Vuelta was one of the biggest blows. The Slovenian had started the race with a chance to win another Grand Tour, but his crash forced him to abandon and brought his season to an early end. The team thus lost an opportunity to contest another overall title.
Matxín believes these circumstances have also helped strengthen the team. “I think all these circumstances have made us stronger and forced us to push ourselves further,” he explained.
December’s schedule could set the course for the treble
The big question remains how UAE will distribute its leading riders. The schedules of Pogačar and Del Toro, along with the rest of the team’s leaders, will be decisive in determining how well the squad can take on the challenge of winning all three Grand Tours.
Plans are taking shape at meetings in Abu Dhabi, where the Emirati team is defining its objectives for 2027. It must find a formula that allows Pogačar to pursue his major goals while giving other riders genuine opportunities to fight for victory in a three-week race.
Pogačar has sporting reasons to focus on the Tour and return to the Vuelta. The Giro could give Del Toro the chance to confirm his development as a Grand Tour contender, while Almeida offers the team a highly valuable alternative.
Matxín has made it clear that he does not want to settle for what the team has achieved so far. UAE has won almost everything there is to win in modern cycling, but one collective prize remains outstanding. The treble achieved by Visma in 2023 is now the Emirati team’s main target.
The ambition is clear, and the squad has the riders it needs. What remains to be seen is how responsibilities will be shared and whether the team can turn its enormous potential into three historic victories. In 2027, UAE does not just want Pogačar to dominate the Tour again: it also aims to prove it can win all three Grand Tours in a single season.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- again, nothing is going to be resolved. it is a discussion board. I simply said I didn't see how MS impeded LBs sprint. the UCI doesn't care about my thoughts, and I am really not that emotionally invested in it.mij09-11-2026
- provoke change, lol. this is a discussion board. nothing is going to change by what I say here. just commenting that it didn't look like MS impeded Brand. beyond that not trying to go too deep.mij09-11-2026
- as excellent as maga rednecks chloe dygert (and quinn simmons)?Ketterechts09-11-2026
- so what i understand is: i left a comment calling out the endless author CVs for being an unnecessary flex of expertise, and you responded by lecturing me (and others) on discrimination and value systems. hats off to you. you definitely lost me!Ketterechts09-11-2026
- I just love the flood of Americans into the top ranks of world cycling. In addition to being studs on the bike, they all seem to be excellent emissaries for our country.Occam09-11-2026
- ANATOMY OF A G.O.A.T. EDDY MERCKX about TADEJ POGAČAR: Merckx: “He has revived a style of cycling that we had almost forgotten. He is now better than me.” Key statements by Merckx about Pogačar in 2026: - Acknowledging his superiority: This time, Merckx openly admitted, without any subsequent backtracking or reservations, that Pogačar had surpassed him and was now above him. This contrasts with 2024, when he quickly softened his remarks about Pogačar being faster. - The possibility of a historic triple (Giro, Tour and Vuelta): During the July Tour de France (where Pogi claimed his fifth title), Merckx stated that Pogi was the only cyclist in history capable of winning all three Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España) in a single season, provided the conditions were right and he had sufficient team support. - Lack of serious competition: Merckx emphasised that Pogačar has no real rivals in the mountains since 2024, thanks to his extraordinary climbing ability and the fact that he continues to improve despite still being under 28 (he turned 28 in autumn 2026). - Praise for his racing style: Merckx highlighted how Pogačar is bringing back the aggressive, uncompromising spirit of cycling's golden era, when races were not merely about calculated stages and tactical conservatism, but about attacking from long distances. PS: This is not "boring" ... this is called making real history, not only statistical history. Capish?PogiSloFans09-11-2026
- It’s off-season mate, I’m bored and fed up with the mediocrity of people unwilling to provoke change when they admit things aren’t right. What have you done lately to make anyone realise you won’t put up with things? What conversation, are you dictating to me which part of the incident I have to be interested in or telling me other parts are taboo? That’s what I guess the UCI would really like, let them moan, let it blow over for them pass on to the next thing, let’s keep the status quo, let’s try our best not reviewing or revealing anything about decision-making just like every time before, they’re used to it by now so we can take the risk they’ll never give us grief.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- As far as CUTD headlines go this is far from the worst. It helps if you look at it twice and realise it’s a list of descriptions from distinct events. You can’t deny the reality of being a rival if you consider the picture immediately below, frontrunner is unfortunate but I’m guessing this time it’s more a linguistic failure than a clickbaiting opportunity. Just a reminder that this is not an anglo website, for those who find it too tedious to interpret text to get the gist of things which are rarely of great importance (as opposed to eg purposely biaised DOJ extradition translations in order to achieve hidden agendas), there are plenty of anglo cycling websites google can suggest.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- Ah, finally someone willing to be a bit proactive.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- So? Do you understand the way instructions, decisions and authority work? Do you think in a football match if after a match (or even after play has gone on) a player tells the referee he did touch the ball with his hands when the referee didn’t award opponents a penalty that they will revise the score or force a replay? You really don’t get my point, it’s not against the rider but everyone here is so emotional for her they can’t get back to an issue which needs resolving for the future and the first step (or maybe second) is to try to understand how and why it happens, none of you have contributed in the least to that. All everyone is interested in is letting everyone know they agree how unjust it was, not even sure anyone thinks that could affect anything.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment