Cyclist Kevin Vermaerke poised to join successful Tour de France squad in 2026 season
In an exciting development for the world of cycling, Kevin Vermaerke, a 24-year-old cyclist from Colorado, has announced his move to UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The two-year contract begins in 2026, marking a significant step up for Vermaerke in his professional career.
Vermaerke, known for his versatility and all-rounder abilities, has shown his potential to compete at the highest level. With WorldTour experience under his belt, he has proven his capability to contribute significantly in stage races and classic races, and has shown exceptional skills in supporting team leaders during challenging races.
The transfer to UAE Team Emirates-XRG aligns Vermaerke with one of the most successful WorldTour teams, currently led by Tadej Pogačar, a four-time Tour de France champion. This move positions Vermaerke to play a key role in the team’s stage race and classics campaigns, benefiting from the experience and high level of competition within the squad.
Though Vermaerke has yet to achieve his first professional victory, he has posted strong results. This year, he secured a sixth-place finish overall in the Arctic Race of Norway, building upon his previous third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024. His impressive performance in the Arctic Race of Norway demonstrates his consistency and ability to meet WorldTour demands.
Vermaerke began his professional career in 2021 with Team DSM and has remained with them through the current season. Prior to his tenure with Team DSM, Vermaerke won the under-23 Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2019 while riding for the Hagens Berman-Axeon team.
Mauro Gianetti, the team CEO and principal of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, expressed his pleasure about Vermaerke joining the team. Vermaerke himself is excited about the move, looking forward to learning from the best in the world and contributing to the team’s success next season. He believes that the team environment of UAE and the level of riders will help him take the next step in his career.
In UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Vermaerke will be teammates with Tadej Pogacar, the current World Champion and top-ranked rider in the world. Vermaerke is ready to make the step up after five seasons with his current team and is eager to start this new chapter in his career with UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
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