João Almeida will race for UAE Emirates XRG at least until the end of 2028. The Portuguese rider still had a contract until the end of 2026 but has extended it by two more seasons.
"I am very happy to continue my journey with UAE Emirates–XRG," says Almeida in a statement. "From the very beginning, I have felt at home here – the environment, the professionalism, and the trust the team has given me have all helped me become a better rider. Over the past seasons, we have already achieved great results together, but I feel there is much more to come."
João Almeida| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 2028 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2026 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2024 |
"Extending my contract gives me the confidence and stability to keep building towards those goals. I have great teammates and staff around me, and I’m highly motivated for what’s ahead. I’m sure we can continue to fight together for victories in the biggest races in the world."
Strong 2025
Almeida has had an outstanding season. The 27-year-old rider won no fewer than three WorldTour stage races: the Tour of the Basque Country, the Tour de Romandie, and the Tour de Suisse. He had to abandon the Tour de France early due to a crash, but he fought for the overall win until the end in the Vuelta a España. In the end, he finished second behind Jonas Vingegaard.
