UAE Emirates-XRG signs another star rider, but also loses a rider for whom Pogačar's team wasn't a good fit
CyclingThursday, 20 August 2026 at 18:00
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Follow us on GoogleUAE Emirates-XRG has made another move in the transfer market. The team has been busy in recent days signing riders from outside the organization and has also extended the contracts of its two star riders, Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro. Now, a rider from within the team’s own ranks has also received some good news.
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Davide Stella will move up to UAE’s WorldTour team in 2027. The 20-year-old Italian is currently in his second season with UAE Emirates Gen Z, the team’s continental development squad. He was a top contender for the team both this year and last, so the team has seen enough in him to build for the future.
Stella has signed a contract through the end of 2029, making her, on paper, the third new addition for 2027. The team has already signed Marco Frigo (NSN) and Abel Balderstone (Caja Rural) from outside the organization. This brings the total number of spots filled for next year’s roster to 25, leaving UAE with five spots still to fill.
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Herregodts didn't find his stride at UAE Emirates-XRG
The five remaining spots could go to riders whose contracts are currently set to expire. Pavel Sivakov, Juan Sebastián Molano, Vegard Stake Laengen, Rui and Ivo Oliveira, Igor Arrieta, Rune Herregodts, and Julius Johansen all have contracts that are set to expire. Sivakov is expected to join Decathlon CMA CGM.
It’s already known that Van Herregodts is leaving the team. The 28-year-old Belgian champion will soon have completed two seasons with the team, but says he never really found his footing at UAE. “I’ve had two fantastic years with UAE, but I want to experience a new environment. I also hope to race more for myself and get closer to victory,” he explained.
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Rune Herregodts
Belgian champion wants to race on his own
In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, he also said: “In recent years at UAE, I’ve mainly ridden in support of other riders. At the Belgian Championships, I showed that I can win races when I’m given the space to ride on my own. Especially since the Belgian Championships weren’t an isolated event. I’d already come close in the Copenhagen Sprint and the Baloise Belgium Tour.”
"In any case, the goal is to have a little more personal freedom—in one-day races, but also in smaller stage races like the ZLM Tour," said Herregodts, who hasn't officially signed with any team yet. On a team where Pogacar and Del Toro are on the roster, there turned out to be very little room, all things considered, for individual opportunities in the classics and stage races.
"I learned a lot there; it was a great two years. We’re parting ways with no hard feelings. At the same time, I have to say that we both felt that extending the contract wasn’t really an option. The UAE and I weren’t the best match ever. It boils down to this: the team expects me this season to ride at 85 percent of my best level all year long, so that I can easily step in here and there and maintain a consistent level without any real peaks.”
"That 85 percent is enough to do my job, but I personally get more satisfaction out of giving 100 percent at certain moments, even if it's just riding in support. I completely understand why the team wants to deploy some of its riders that way. And just to be clear: I’ve never had a problem with riding in support, per se. I’ve always received a lot of appreciation and gratitude for it.”
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - Carlos seventh and tenth at past Vueltas, plus two solid Tours—he could end up co-leader if Onley wobbles in the third week. INEOS playing the long game again. Vamos, Rodríguez!jennifer1920-08-2026
- - Ben Turner for sprints is interesting, but where are the true flat finishes at this Vuelta? He’s better on lumpy days, so maybe top-5s rather than stage wins. Still, up the Turner!bikebuffj20-08-2026
- - Small quibble: was Onley really 4th at last year’s Tour de France? I thought that was a different rider from PostNL who cracked the top five. Did I miss a transfer saga here?robert6520-08-2026
- - Tarling riding after such a tragedy… respect. If he’s TT-ing for positioning and doing the flat lead-outs for Turner, that could really stabilise their first week.patriciaw20-08-2026
- - Strong roster. Onley’s Burgos form plus Rodriguez as road captain on the big climbs is a smart combo. Curious how they balance GC with stage hunting for Laurance on those uphill sprints.samanthak20-08-2026
- - Abel’s quotes are pure ilusión. Bienvenido chico! UAE va a darle el entorno perfecto para crecer, especialmente en vueltas de una semana. Vamos!andrewf20-08-2026
- - If Pogi extends beyond 2030, doesn’t that squeeze opportunities for guys like Del Toro despite his deal till 2031? How do they balance GC leadership with so many climbers wanting shots?sprocketspiny20-08-2026
- - Great update, but one thing: didn’t Frigo join the WorldTour with Israel PT in 2022 not 2023? Might be mixing dev/WT timing. Either way, his Amstel top-10 from the move was class.patriciaw20-08-2026
- - Quick question: when they say “special clauses” for Pogačar, does that mean like altitude-camp control, race programme veto, or image rights stuff? Or more performance bonuses? Not totally clear from the piece.gearguru3320-08-2026
- - Balderstone for three years is tidy business. He was rock solid at Caja and has a good engine for medium mountains. But calling UAE “the best team in the peloton” is a bit rich—Visma and Ineos might have opinions. Still, depth wins grand tours, and they’re stacking it.pedalpowe2920-08-2026
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