UAE Development Team has added one of Eastern Europe’s most promising young riders to its roster, confirming that 18-year-old Ukrainian Milana Ushakova will step up to the professional ranks with the squad from 2026.
The move marks a major milestone in Ushakova’s rapid progression through the junior categories, where she has built a reputation as a versatile and intelligent rider capable of performing on the road and track.
A standout season at junior level
Ushakova, born 13 March 2007, has enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season. She won both the Ukrainian junior road race and time trial titles, underlining her dominance on home soil, before going on to produce a string of strong international performances.
Her spring campaign included a fourth place in the mountains classification at the Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie, where she also finished fifth overall and fifth on stage 2. She added further top tens in the points competition and in one-day races such as Heusdenkoers. On the track, she placed tenth in the team pursuit at the European Championships.
Later in the year she rode the World Championships in both the junior ITT and the road race, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of youth competition, and finished eighth in the European Mixed Relay.
These results, combined with her consistency across different types of terrain, have made her one of the most intriguing young prospects in the junior peloton.
A natural next step
Ushakova spent 2025 with Baloise Minimax WB Ladies Juniors, having previously ridden for Van Moer Logistics Cycling Team. Moving to UAE Development Team gives her a clear pathway toward the WorldTour, following the structure that has already elevated several riders through the organisation’s development system.
For UAE Development Team, the signing reflects a continued commitment to identifying young riders with high ceilings and giving them the support to progress at a measured pace.
Looking ahead
Turning professional at 19 is a major step, but Ushakova’s trajectory suggests she is ready for the challenge. Her all-round skill set, resilience and racing intelligence will be sharpened further inside a structured, international environment.
Milana Ushakova will join UAE Development Team for the 2026 season, bringing with her national titles, international experience and the promise of significant long-term development.
