Joao Almeida and UAE Team Emirates–XRG will continue their journey together until the end of 2028. The Portuguese climber, a key athlete in Grand Tours, joined the Emirati formation in 2022 and since then has become a pillar of the team, signing stage victories and podiums in both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, with the highlight of a memorable stage win atop the Angliru this year.

He has also played a crucial role in the Tour de France team, contributing to the team's overall success in 2024 and 2025. The 2025 season has been his best so far, with victories in the Iztulia Basque Country, Tour de Romandie, and Tour de Suisse, the latter including three stage wins.

As the year draws to a close, Almeida has led the UAE Team Emirates-XRG to a historic record of seven stage victories in the Vuelta a España. There, he secured second place in the general classification, achieving his best Grand Tour placement to date.

Almeida's consistency, intelligence, and resilience have established him as one of the most reliable riders in the peloton, and his renewal underscores both his commitment to the team's long-term ambitions and UAE Team Emirates-XRG's confidence in his continued growth.

"I am truly happy to continue my journey with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. From the beginning, I felt at home here: the environment, professionalism, and trust the team has shown me have helped me become a better rider. In recent seasons, we have achieved great results together, but I feel there is still much to do. The contract extension gives me the confidence and stability needed to continue pursuing these goals. I have excellent teammates and a fantastic staff by my side, and I am truly motivated for the future. Together, I am sure we can continue to fight for victories in the world's most important races."