Giro standout Jonathan Narváez makes 180-degree turn on future

The Ecuadorian had been heavily linked with a move back to Netcompany-In eos, the team where he spent six seasons between 2019 and 2024, but Daniel Benson reports that Narváez has now changed course and agreed to remain with UAE Emirates-XRG. According Benson, the 29-year-old is understood to have reached terms on a new three year contract with his current team.

For Ineos, the development is a significant setback. Narváez had been viewed as an important reinforcement for both the Classics and the mountains, a rider capable of leading in selective one day races while also strengthening the squad’s Grand Tour depth.

Narváez’s decision comes after the most successful spell of his career. Since joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG from Ineos, he has continued to grow in stature, winning the 2026 Tour Down Under overall and taking three stage victories at this year’s Giro d’Italia.

At the Giro, Narváez was also long involved in the battle for the points classification with Paul Magnier, before the Frenchman’s unexpected win on stage 18 and Narváez’s later crash with a bus brought that fight to an abrupt end.

His role has not been limited to personal success. Narváez also proved an important support rider for Tadej Pogačar during the Classics and the Tour de France, where he was regularly among the strongest domestiques in the Slovenian’s service. That combination of versatility, durability and race winning instinct made him one of the most attractive riders on the transfer market.

A return to INEOS appeared increasingly likely earlier in the year, especially given his previous history with the British team. Narváez developed into a top level performer during his first spell there, after joining from Quick Step in 2019. But UAE’s renewed push to keep him has now changed the picture.

There could still be movement elsewhere in the UAE squad. According to Benson, Juan Sebastián Molano is expected to leave the team, with Lotto-Intermarché among the teams looking closely at the Colombian sprinter.

Molano, who has raced for UAE since 2019, has built a strong record as a pure fast man, with victories including two stages of the Vuelta a España, the Classic Brugge De Panne, stages in the UAE Tour, the Vuelta a Burgos and the Tour of Guangxi. He also opened his 2026 account with a stage win at the Tour of Oman.

Lotto-Intermarché are in the market for sprint power as they prepare for the expected departure of Arnaud De Lie. The Belgian is out of contract and has been linked with a move to Tudor, leaving a major gap in the team’s sprint structure. Molano is seen as a proven WorldTour option who could immediately take over part of that responsibility.