UAE Team Emirates - XRG complete 2026 roster with surprise addition of Italian 21-year old

The UAE Team Emirates - XRG development project takes another step forward with the promotion of Luca Giaimi to the World Tour squad. The 21-year-old Italian leaves the Gen Z structure behind to join the elite roster immediately, on a deal that ties him to the Emirati team through the end of 2028.

Giaimi thus becomes the latest talent to emerge from the team’s development pathway, a platform designed to prepare the most promising riders before they make the definitive jump to the top level.

During his spell with the Gen Z setup, the Italian worked closely with the World Tour environment, attending training camps, receiving race support, and getting direct exposure to the professional calendar.

On the sporting side, his progression has been clear. In 2025 he delivered standout results in Portugal, including a stage win at the Volta ao Alentejo and victory at the Trofeu Internacional da Arrábida, cementing his case for promotion.

Team CEO and principal, Mauro Gianetti, stressed the alignment of the move with the project’s philosophy:

“The aim of our Generation Z structure has always been to develop and nurture young talents, and Luca has shown he is ready to take the next step. We believe he has the character, commitment, and mindset to grow within our World Tour team. We hope and trust he can continue progressing both as a rider and as a person as he transitions to the highest level.”

For his part, Giaimi welcomed the step up as a natural consequence of his evolution inside the team:

“It’s a great feeling to move up a category and I’m very happy because it means my growth trajectory here in Generation Z has been positive. Over the last two seasons with the development team, I had the chance to learn how to work in WorldTour races, especially within our great team. I’ve treasured that experience and now I bring it with me. I want to keep growing and working well with the whole team to become the best version of myself.”

With this promotion, UAE Team Emirates-XRG reaffirms its commitment to a model that blends immediate results with long-term investment, integrating young talent into one of the most powerful structures in the international peloton.