Kevin Vermaerke will join UAE Team Emirates-XRG from 2026, with the American all-rounder signing a two-year contract. The move strengthens the team’s depth for both stage racing and one-day campaigns, with Vermaerke arriving from Team dsm–firmenich PostNL after five seasons in the WorldTour.
The 24-year-old turned professional in 2020 and has spent his entire career to date with the Dutch squad, originally racing under the Team Sunweb banner before the current sponsor line-up. His breakthrough came at the under-23 level with victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège Espoirs in 2019, and while a pro win has so far eluded him, his consistency and versatility have made him a reliable option in demanding races.
In recent seasons, Vermaerke has delivered some of his best results in week-long stage races and tough classics. He twice finished 3rd overall at the Arctic Race of Norway, in both 2023 and 2024, and claimed 4th at the 2024 San Sebastián Klasikoa. Those results, combined with his ability to work for team leaders in mountainous stage races, have made him a valuable asset for any squad targeting a broad race programme.
Team principal Mauro Gianetti sees the move as an important one for the team’s future goals. “We are very pleased to welcome Kevin to our team. He’s a young, versatile rider and has already shown he can compete at the highest level. We believe he can continue to grow in our environment and become an important part of our team structure, both in stage races and the one-day calendar.”
Vermaerke is equally optimistic about the change. “I am incredibly excited to join UAE Team Emirates-XRG next year and start a new chapter in my career. I’ve grown a lot over the last few years but I feel that the team environment of UAE with the level of the riders and attention to detail on the team will be the change I need to take the next step. I’m really looking forward to learning from the best in the world and contributing to the team’s success next season.”
With UAE Team Emirates-XRG continuing to balance Grand Tour ambitions with a strong presence in one-day racing, Vermaerke’s signing underlines the team’s intent to add reliable, adaptable support riders capable of influencing races across a variety of terrains.
