UAE snaps up powerhouse Italian from NSN as first new signing for 2027

Frigo, from Bassano del Grappa, first raced with SEG Racing Academy in 2020 before moving into the Israel Premier Tech structure. He stepped up to WorldTour level in 2023 and has since developed into a strong attacking all rounder capable of playing a supporting role or chasing his own results on hilly and mountainous terrain.

His breakthrough professional victory arrived at the 2025 Tour of the Alps. Frigo attacked from the breakaway with more than 70 kilometres remaining on stage 3 and completed a long solo effort to take victory in Innichen, holding off the group of general classification contenders behind. It remains his only professional victory to date.

The win followed several near misses at Grand Tour level. Frigo finished third on stage 15 of the 2023 Giro d'Italia before taking second behind Ben O'Connor on stage 6 of the 2024 Vuelta a España. He came close twice more at the Vuelta in 2025, finishing second on stage 7 and third on stage 15.

His results away from the Grand Tours have also become increasingly consistent. Frigo finished fifth overall at the 2025 Baloise Belgium Tour and seventh at the Tour de Pologne, before adding a tenth place at the Amstel Gold Race in 2026.

Those performances have helped Frigo establish a clearer identity as a rider, something he feels UAE recognised when bringing him into the team.

"I think the first four years as a pro have been a process where I shaped and found my identity as a rider. I feel UAE understood that, believed in it, and that our ideas about the future are very much aligned," Frigo said in a statement released by UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

"I can't wait to transform the big motivation I feel into the next years and contribute to the team achieving its big goals."

Frigo is the first confirmed new arrival at UAE Team Emirates-XRG for 2027. The team has also been linked with Spanish climber Abel Balderstone, although his move from Caja Rural has yet to be officially announced.

Alongside its recruitment, UAE has moved to secure much of its core for the coming years. Isaac del Toro has extended his contract through 2031, while Brandon McNulty is tied to the team until 2030. Florian Vermeersch, Nils Politt and Jhonatan Narváez have all renewed through 2029, giving UAE considerable continuity around its established leaders. 

Tadej Pogačar is already under contract through 2030.