New riders join UAE Team Emirates XRG

UAE Team Emirates XRG, the development team of UAE Team Emirates, announced the arrival of five new riders for the 2027 season. The new additions include French rider Simon Defrance, Czech rider Vaclav Jezek, Mexican rider José Emilio Rodríguez, Italian rider Riccardo Lorello, and Spanish rider Luca Martinez. Three junior riders and two riders who have already competed in the under-23 category will join the development structure of the Emirati team.

Simon Defrance’s achievements

Simon Defrance, 18, had a strong 2026 season, winning the French junior championships and earning a silver medal at the World Championships in Montreal, finishing behind Spanish rider Benjamin Noval. Vaclav Jezek, 21, is the most experienced in the group, having won the Tour of Hellas and the West Bohemia Tour this season.

Background on other new riders

José Emilio Rodríguez comes from A.R. Monex, the team that supported the early career of Isaac Del Toro before his move to UAE Team Emirates in 2023. In 2026, he won the Giro della Valdera and finished second in the GP West Bohemia. Riccardo Lorello, 20, won two races this season and finished third in a stage of the Tour de l'Avenir. Luca Martinez, 18, finished fifth in the Spanish junior championships.

Several riders leaving for professional teams

These five arrivals are accompanied by several departures to professional teams. Luca Giaimi and Davide Stella have already joined or will join the main team UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The Ecuadorian Mateo Ramirez, who finished second in the Giro d'Italia Next Gen and fourth in the Tour de l'Avenir in 2026, is heading to Movistar with a contract until 2029.

Other riders moving on

The French Hugo Fabries, sixth in the Tour de l'Avenir, is also moving to the professional ranks, joining Jayco AlUla. Meanwhile, Matvei Boldyrev and Marcos Freire have signed with Bahrain Victorious Development and Caja Rural-Alea, respectively.