August 08, 2021:  Just one month since the Tour de France victory and UAE Team Emirates seem keen to keep up the momentum with one eye focusing on next season.

 

Pascal Ackermann has put pen to paper on a deal which will see him in the colours of UAE Team Emirates next season, with the new contract running until the end of 2023.

 

The 27-year old already has 35 career wins to his name and is keen to build on that success with the Emirati squad.

 

Ackermann: “I am absolutely thrilled to wear the UAE jersey next year. This step will be a special one in my still young career. The team I will be part of is something unique in cycling. I would like to thank everyone who made this step possible and gave me the confidence to achieve common future goals.

 

Success is always teamwork, and so I would like to say already today that I will take each and every one of the team on a hopefully unique journey to many successes. At the same time, I have always been a team player and will certainly also put myself in a role to work hard for the others when situations require.”

 

Mauro Gianetti (CEO & Team Principal) : “Pascal is a hugely talented rider and we are delighted to have him join our squad. We know he is capable of great things and we look forward to working towards many successes together with him in our team. We are building a group of riders who can work well together in a good environment both on and off the bike and we believe a rider like Pascal can enrich the team also with his human qualities which is very important.”

Also joining the Tour de France champions is Portuguese prodigy, João Almeida who has agreed terms to join UAE Team Emirates starting from 2022 season as part of a deal which will see him in the UAE colours through to 2027.

 

The 23 year old from Caldas de Rainha has had a strong and consistent 2021 with a top-10 finish in every stage race he has competed in this season, with a notable third-place podium finish at the UAE Tour and 6th place at the Giro d’Italia.

 

Almeida is also the current time trial champion of Portugal and represented his nation at the Olympics in Tokyo in both the road race and the time trial.

 

Joxean Matxin Fernandez (Team Manager) : “Almeida is a rider we’ve known for many years since he was a junior and we are delighted to welcome him to UAE Team Emirates. João is a cyclist of great quality and we have no doubt that he will be a strong pillar in the team. He’s a hugely talented and versatile rider and I’m sure we’ll enjoy many great successes together with him in our squad. Our aim is to strengthen the team year by year and we have full confidence that João will bring great things to the group, both as an athlete and as a person.”

 

Almeida : “I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my career and in my life.

 

I feel like the move to UAE Team Emirates is coming at the right time and I’m sure I will be happy on this new adventure. The team is growing every year and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

 

I am quite a thoughtful person by nature and I find myself already dreaming and visualising about the future and I’m super excited about it.”