Kevin Vermaerke will switch from Picnic PostNL to UAE Emirates XRG after this season. This was announced by the latter team on social media. The 24-year-old American has signed a two-year contract.
Vermaerke rode for Hagens Berman Axeon in 2019 and 2020 but ended that period as a stagiaire at Team Sunweb, the predecessor of the current Picnic PostNL. During the next five seasons, he did not secure a win for Iwan Spekenbrink's team, but he did achieve several podium finishes. For example, in 2023 he was seventh in Eschborn-Frankfurt, and last year he finished fifth in Milan-Turin, fourth in the Czech Tour, and also fourth in the Clásica San Sebastián. In both seasons, he finished third in the Arctic Race of Norway.
This season has been tougher for Vermaerke, but once again, in the Arctic Race of Norway, he recently showed good form, finishing sixth in the race. Vermaerke excels especially on climbs, but UAE Team Emirates also sees him as an "all-rounder" who will play an important role in stage races and classics.
Versatile rider
“We are very happy to welcome Kevin to our team,” says team manager Mauro Gianetti in a statement. “He is a young, versatile rider who has already shown that he can compete at the highest level. We believe he can further develop in our environment and become an important part of our team structure, both in stage races and one-day races.”
Vermaerke himself is 'enthusiastic' about his move to UAE Team Emirates. “I have grown a lot over the past years, but I feel that the team environment at UAE – with the level of riders and attention to detail – is exactly what I need to take the next step. I’m really looking forward to learning from the best in the world, and contributing to the team’s success in the upcoming season.”
