Pogacar and Del Toro to ride Tour de France, Almeida targets Giro and Vuelta: UAE lays out 2026 goals

UAE Team Emirates-XRG have been, by a clear margin, the strongest team in the world over the past two seasons. But perhaps that very dominance is why an exceptionally challenging task awaits them in 2026. To match last year’s results, the team will need to map out its objectives with great precision. This is how Tadej Pogacar and the Emirati squad will approach the new season.

One thing about the reigning world champion was never in doubt: the Tour de France is firmly on his schedule. Pogacar could secure his fifth overall victory in Paris with another yellow jersey, which would see him draw level with Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil. Participation in La Grande Boucle is a certainty.

And the rest of his season? There are few real surprises. Pogacar will not return to the UAE Tour, instead starting his campaign at Strade Bianche. From there, he will make another attempt to finally win Milan–Sanremo, after which the focus shifts fully to the cobbled Classics. Once again, Pogacar will line up for both the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix. Is it time for revenge on the boards of the Vélodrome?

The Slovenian will round off his spring at Liège–Bastogne–Liège. That means no Amstel Gold Race or Flèche Wallonne. After La Doyenne, Pogacar will ride two races in Switzerland as preparation for the Tour de France: first the Tour de Romandie, followed by the Tour de Suisse. What comes after the Tour remains uncertain. A start in the Vuelta a España is possible, but nothing will be confirmed at this stage.

So what does all of this mean for the team’s supporting leaders? First up is Isaac Del Toro. The Mexican finished second at the Giro d’Italia, but it became clear during the team meeting that he will not return to the Italian Grand Tour in 2026. The Vuelta a España will also be skipped: instead, the young talent will make his Tour de France debut alongside team leader Pogacar.

Del Toro will begin his season at the UAE Tour, where he will be given leadership responsibilities. He will then support Pogacar on his return at Strade Bianche, before also starting Tirreno–Adriatico and Milan–Sanremo. That will be followed by the Tour of the Basque Country, after which he will fine-tune his Tour preparation at the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes, formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné.

João Almeida, meanwhile, will definitely not be seen in France. The Portuguese rider was forced to abandon last year’s Tour de France after a crash on the stage to Mûr-de-Bretagne, but his focus in 2026 will be on the other Grand Tours. He will start his season early with the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and the Volta ao Algarve in February. From there, he will build through Paris–Nice and the Volta a Catalunya towards the Giro d’Italia.

After the Giro, Almeida will race the national championships before preparing for his second Grand Tour of the year at the Tour of Burgos. The climber finished second at this year’s Vuelta a España and will return to Spain - with the race starting in Monaco - aiming for another top result. If Pogacar will accompany him there, remains to be seen. The World Championships are also included in Almeida's programme.