The UAE Emirates XRG did not win the Vuelta a España as they hoped, but the result is certainly positive with an overall second place with Joao Almeida and 7 stage wins. In yesterday's stage, with the tough finish at Bola del Mundo, the Emirates team wanted to win to try to gain seconds and thus try to conquer the Vuelta: however, things did not go as they hoped and Almeida showed fatigue and in the final climb he was unable to keep up with Vingegaard, who crossed the finish line solo.

«The plan was clear. Because there were always the 10 seconds of bonus. We wanted to win the stage and put pressure on our opponents, but we did our best and did not succeed. But Vingegaard is Vingegaard and he deserved this Vuelta».

Mauro Gianetti, CEO of UAE Emirates XRG, is very satisfied not only with the results achieved this season with various riders, but also with having been able to highlight the potential of some of his young riders in the grand tours, such as Almeida at the Vuelta and Del Toro at the Giro d'Italia.

«Thanks to this Vuelta we discovered a new dimension, a new level of Almeida and then we also saw what Isaac Del Toro is capable of racing at the Giro. I can say that we are also very happy to have finished among the top six in this stage where Vingegaard was excellent. We are second with Almeida, Jay Vine won the climber's jersey, so we can only be happy».

Gianetti emphasized the importance of the result obtained and that they probably could not have achieved a better result in this Vuelta.
«We gained a few seconds in the time trial, but not enough. We did everything we could. We were in a position to try to do everything. That's why we decided to give an opportunity to many riders to win a stage, because it's also important for our team to give opportunities to everyone and share the emotion of victory, because we know how important winning is. All the guys work hard every day in training and for the team and in the end we are super happy when they manage to get a success».

Today the curtain will fall on the Vuelta, with the last stage, which will award the victory in Madrid. Gianetti, smiling, said they will not win on the last day and that they are already satisfied.

«No, we don't have a sprinter in the team, so no, today we will hardly conquer the eighth victory in this Vuelta. But we are already satisfied like this».