UAE Team Emirates announces squad for Vuelta España

UAE Team Emirates have named 8 riders for the final Grand Tour of the year – La Vuelta España.

The race will depart from Barcelona on the 26th August before concluding in Madrid three weeks later on September 17th over a total course distance of 3157km.

The team goes into the race with a double-pronged attack on the GC with two proven Grand Tour riders at the helm. Juan Ayuso, the revelation of last years Vuelta who went on to finish 3rd in his Grand Tour debut and Joao Almeida, who podiumed at this years Giro D’Italia, will both team up with sights set on the top step of the podium.

Sebastian Molano comes into the race in form following his stage victory at Vuelta Burgos and will be backed in the sprints by the skill and expertise of the Oliveira brothers. The trio of Marc Soler, Jay Vine and Finn Fisher Black form a formidable climbing block with Fisher Black making his debut in a Grand Tour.

Ayuso: “Last years Vuelta was something special, a race I’ll always remember and it gave me a lot of confidence.
We’ve been putting in a lot of work together the past months as a group and it’s gone really well. The route this year will be passing close to places where I grew up or lived, so personally that will make it extra special too.

As for the competition it’s going to be tough no doubt with some big rivals on the startlist but I feel we’re up to the challenge. Going in like we did last year with two leaders worked out as an advantage so I think it’s a good strategy. We can’t wait to get the racing started.”

Almeida : “The sensations are good : I feel I’m stronger than I was this time last year. I think Juan has also improved so we’re in a really good place. Last year at the Vuelta was already quite a success for us so we’re going back to aim for the same or more. We had two guys on the podium at the Tour so why not at the Vuelta too? It could be really nice.”

Sports Manager Joxean Matxin Fernandez (Spa) along with Sports Directors Tomas Gil (Ven) and Manuele Mori (Ita) will lead the following 8 riders :

La Vuelta Ciclista a España [2.UWT] – 26-Aug-2023 / 17-Sep-2023
Joao Almeida (Por)
Juan Ayuso (Spa)
Finn Fisher-Black (NZ)
Sebastian Molano (Col)
Ivo Oliveira (Por)
Rui Oliveira (Por)
Marc Soler (Spa)
Jay Vine (Aus)