João Almeida seals long-term contract extension with UAE Team Emirates-XRG

João Almeida has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG through 2028. The Portuguese star has spent the last four seasons with the Emirati team since signing from Deceuninck Quick-Step for the 2022 season, and has established himself as one of the best Grand Tour riders in the peloton.

Now 27 years old, Almeida has won 17 individual races with the team, and finished 3rd at the Giro d’Italia in 2023, 4th at the Tour de France in 2024, and most recently 2nd at the Vuelta a España this September.

"I'm really happy to be continuing my journey with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. From the very beginning, I've felt at home here – the environment, the professionalism, and the trust the team has given me have all helped me become a better rider," said Almeida in an official team statement. 

This news follows recent contract extensions for Tim Wellens, Vergard Stake Laengen and Julius Johansen, illustrating the team's commitment to the core of the team after a record-breaking 2025 campaign.

2025 was Almeida’s best year to date with UAE. Beyond his 2nd place at the Vuelta, where he also won a stage ahead of Jonas Vingegaard atop the mighty L’Angliru, Almeida also sealed the general classification at three prestigious WorldTour stage races consecutively, Itzulia Basque Country, Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse, with five stage victories along the way.

"Over the past few seasons, we've achieved some big results together, but I still feel there's a lot more to come," Almeida added. "Extending my contract gives me the confidence and stability to keep building toward those goals. I have great teammates and staff around me, and I'm really motivated for what lies ahead. Together, I'm sure we can keep fighting for victories in the biggest races in the world."

Almeida was also part of the Tour de France winning squads of 2024 and 2025 with Tadej Pogačar, finishing the aforementioned 4th in 2024, before abandoning this year on stage 9 due to the impacts of a crash on stage 7 to the Mûr de Bretagne a few days earlier.

Fellow UAE riders who are contracted at least through 2028 include Jan Christen, Isaac del Toro, Adrià Pericas, Tadej Pogačar, Pablo Torres, and Adam Yates.