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.
UAE keeps adding pieces to its relentless machine
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.”
Giaimi motivated by his promotion
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.
Read also
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
- 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