All eyes on Giro d'Italia as UAE Team Emirates-XRG target first Grand Tour of 2026

UAE Team Emirates-XRG enter first Grand Tour in red-hot form following a dominant spring classics campaign
Adam Yates and Jay Vine lead UAE Team Emirates-XRG's charge in Italy

News | Team –7th May 2026

UAE Team Emirates-XRG head into the 109th edition of the Giro d'Italia with anticipation building on the eve of the first Grand Tour of the 2026 season. Known for its punishing climbs and stunning scenery, the Giro presents one of cycling's toughest examinations, offering riders the chance to prove themselves across three relentless weeks on the sport's biggest stage. With the landscapes of Italy once again setting the backdrop, all eyes now turn to the road.

Known as the 'Corsa Rosa', the race will once again deliver three weeks of intricate tactics, brutal mountain showdowns, and high-speed finishes, rewarding those willing to risk everything in pursuit of victory. As ever, fans can expect drama-filled racing, with the general classification duel set to be decided in the mountains. Jay Vine and Adam Yates are set to challenge themselves to the limit as they target the famed Maglia Rosa.

Yates is no stranger to the demands of three-week racing, having played a crucial role in Tadej Pogačar's dominant recent Tour de France victories. Grand Tours have often brought out the very best in the Brit, who consistently thrives when the road turns uphill. Now stepping into a leadership role, Yates will be aiming to add the biggest result of his career to his palmarès. Alongside him, Vine arrives off the back of an impressive victory at the Tour Down Under, returning to full fitness after a difficult period following injury and looking to build upon a promising start to the season.

They will be supported by a squad built to perform across all terrain in Italy. Jhonatan Narvaez returns to racing after a spell on the sidelines, bringing punch and explosiveness to the steeper climbs. Jan Christen and Marc Soler add further climbing depth and versatility, both capable of setting a searing pace on long ascents. Antonio Morgado arrives as a true all-rounder, comfortable across all terrain and one to watch in the fast finishes. Igor Arrieta and Mikkel Bjerg complete the line-up, tasked with controlling the race, position their leaders, and keeping breakaways in check as the race unfolds.

Yates: "I'm pretty happy with how my preparation for the Giro has gone. The win in O Gran Camiño was a good tester and I've had a solid block with the team in Sierra Nevada, so I think as a group, we're ready.

"Not having João Almeida will change our strategy slightly, but we still have big ambitions and still want to go for results. Personally, I feel like the shape is good and if things go our way we can have a good crack at the GC and animate the race."

Standing in the way of UAE Team Emirates-XRG is a high-calibre field of contenders, led by reigning Vuelta a Espana champion Jonas Vingegaard. The two-time Tour de France winner arrives in strong form following victories at Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya. Italian Giulio Ciccone also represents a major threat, while Ben O'Connor will look to rediscover his Grand Tour form after a stage win at the 2025 Tour de France.

The race itself will cover 3,468km and feature over 48,000 meters of climbing. For the first time in its history, the Giro beings on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria, with three stages in the Balkans before the race heads into Northern Italy. The opening stages are unlikely to create major gaps among the favourites, with a flat opener followed by two hilly days. Stage 5 could offer an opportunity for the breakaway, before a relatively calm Stage 6 leads into the first major test on Stage 7. Featuring over 4,000 meters of climbing and a summit finish, it will mark the first true GC battleground, where Yates and Vine will need to be at their sharpest as the race begins to take shape and week one concludes.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG expect to be firmly at the centre of the action across the three weeks of racing, approaching the Giro with high standards and clear ambition. With a balanced squad and two proven leaders, the team will look to animate the race and bid for the overall classification, trusting their preparation and strength to deliver in the first Grand Tour of the 2026 season.