Light at the end of the tunnel for unlucky Jay Vine at UAE Team Emirates-XRG: 'Couldn’t have imagined a better fit'

This isn't the first time things have gone wrong for Vine. The 30-year-old Australian is often sidelined by injury, but when he’s pain-free, he’s one of the most dangerous riders on UAE Team Emirates. He proved that with stage wins in the Vuelta a España and a silver medal at the World Time Trial Championships in Kigali. But in 2026, he was unable to follow up on his fantastic 2025 season.

Although he won the Tour Down Under, he took a hard fall in the Tour of Catalonia. He recovered in time for the Giro d'Italia, but had to withdraw from the race on day three due to a broken elbow. After recovering, he competed in the Vuelta a España, but there he fell ill and had to withdraw once again. As a result, the World Cycling Championships—with the time trial as his main goal—also slipped through his fingers.

Late in October, he returned for the final event of the European cycling season, the Chrono des Nations. He was overtaken there by Remco Evenepoel, but still made a great impression by finishing second. So there was a silver lining after all at the end of 2026. That silver lining grew much brighter thanks to a contract extension with UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

The all-rounder will remain with the team for at least another three years. “I’m incredibly happy that I’ll be able to stay with the team until 2029,” Vine says on the team’s website. “I couldn’t have imagined a better fit, and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust and support I’ve received here, both in good times and in difficult times. That support means a lot to me and is something I truly appreciate about this team.”

The focus has been on 2027 for a while now, as Vine tries to get back to his former level. “I’m already preparing for the 2027 season and can’t wait to get started. There’s still so much I want to accomplish, and I’m excited to continue working with some good friends and see what we can achieve together in the coming years.”