UAE boss sets ambitious 2027 target as team looks to follow in Visma’s footsteps

After finishing at the top of the UCI team rankings for the fourth consecutive season, with 78 victories from 20 different riders, the Spaniard believes UAE still have another major milestone to chase.

"I don't look back at what we've achieved. I look forward to what we still have to accomplish," he told Eurosport Spain.

"What am I dreaming of right now? I won't lie. It's what Visma achieved: winning the Giro, Tour and Vuelta in the same year."

Visma accomplished that feat in 2023, with Primož Roglič winning the Giro d'Italia, Jonas Vingegaard taking the Tour de France and Sepp Kuss claiming the Vuelta a España.

UAE certainly have the firepower to attempt something similar. Pogačar remains their biggest weapon, Isaac del Toro has emerged as another potential Grand Tour leader, and the team can also call upon João Almeida. With three major contenders at their disposal, how Matxin intends to divide leadership responsibilities remains unclear.

Del Toro could be handed leadership at the Giro, while Pogačar has already identified a sixth Tour victory, the Vuelta and the World Championships as his main goals for 2027.

UAE have yet to finalise their Grand Tour plans, however, with Matxin unwilling to reveal how he intends to divide leadership responsibilities.

"Riders like Del Toro and Pogačar will be contenders for victory in any race they enter," Matxin said. "What I can guarantee is that we'll build a balanced team and a season in which everyone has opportunities."

Having the riders to win all three Grand Tours is one thing. Getting them to the start line in peak condition is another, as UAE discovered during an injury-hit 2026 campaign.

Matxin revealed that the team suffered 78 crashes, with 18 of their 30 riders sustaining fractures. Pogačar was among those affected, with his Vuelta crash ultimately bringing his season to a premature end.

Pogačar was eager to return to racing before the end of the season, but UAE's medical staff, led by Adrian Rotunno, advised against taking any further risks. Matxin admitted that the desire to get the Slovenian back into competition was understandable, even if the medical team's decision ultimately prevailed.

"From a sporting perspective, you're always looking at whether a rider might be able to return, whether he could win something," Matxin explained.

"I believe it was a wise decision, and I'm grateful for it."

Despite the setback, Matxin is confident the Slovenian will return stronger in 2027.

"I have absolutely no doubt that Pogačar will be better than last year."

Pogačar will also face a different challenge in his pursuit of a sixth Tour de France title, with the 2027 route featuring fewer summit finishes and more kilometres against the clock.

The changes have prompted suggestions that organizers are deliberately trying to make the race more difficult for the Slovenian. Matxin, however, understands the thinking behind the course design.

"What the organizers want, and I understand their perspective, is to prevent the Tour from being decided by stage four," he explained.

Matxin pointed to last year's Tourmalet stage to explain why designing a more open race is not always straightforward. He argued that placing a relatively easy climb with a 3% gradient after a demanding ascent makes it difficult for riders to create further gaps, but can still leave those already struggling losing considerably more time.

"I'm not a fortune teller, but I understand why organizers are looking for formats that keep the race as open as possible."

As for who could challenge Pogačar on that route, Matxin is reluctant to single out one main rival. Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel remain firmly in the picture, while Paul Seixas has emerged as another serious contender following his breakthrough season.

"Just as Seixas emerged this year, another rider could emerge next year," Matxin said.

"Things move very quickly in cycling. Last year we were talking about Jonas as the main rival, and this year it was Remco."

The UAE boss also believes it would be a mistake to overlook any of the three.

"You can't rule out Remco. You can't rule out Jonas. And you certainly can't rule out Paul Seixas."

For now, Matxin is keeping his plans under wraps. How UAE intend to replicate Visma’s 2023 achievement, and which riders will lead the team at each Grand Tour, should become clearer after the team’s training camp in December.