UAE Emirates-XRG offers Spanish talent long-term deal through 2030, following in the footsteps of Pogacar, Christen, and Torres

Pericas showed his talent in 2023 by following Mathieu van der Poel during his recon on Montrose Street, the steep climb of the World Championships in Glasgow. “Mathieu passed me on another climb, and I got on his wheel. I had to work hard to stay there,” said the then 17-year-old rider at the time. 

Now 19, he is considered one of Spain's most extraordinary talents and has already had a taste of the big time this year in the Tour of Asturias and the AlUla Tour, where we spoke to him. “It's very different racing, especially harder. But I try to enjoy it. Someone like Rafal Majka has a lot of experience, and I can learn a lot from him,” Pericas said at the time.

Meanwhile, Pericas also finished sixth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège for U23 riders and seventh in the Giro Next Gen. These promising results have now earned him a contract with the UAE Emirates-XRG professional team. “This season in the Gen Z team has been an incredible experience. I have really enjoyed being with my teammates and learning and growing every day, both inside and outside of competition.”

“Making the jump to the World Tour is a dream come true, and I face this new stage with great enthusiasm,” said the Catalan. “ hope to continue learning from the great riders and staff with whom I am going to share a team, continue enjoying cycling as before and be able to develop in the long term as a cyclist in this structure.”

Team manager Mauro Gianetti is also delighted with the youngster's move. “We are very pleased to welcome Adria to the World Tour team for next season. We’ve watched his development closely through the Gen Z structure, and we believe he has the qualities to be a part of our long-term project.”

“The focus over the next years will be for him to continue to grow with us, both as a rider and as a person. His step-up is another positive development in the success of our Gen Z pathway,” said Gianetti, who saw Pablo Torres make the move from the U23 team last year. Both Torres and Pericas, like Tadej Pogacar and Jan Christen, are now under contract with the team until 2030.