The UAE Development Team has announced the arrival of three promising young talents for the upcoming 2025 season, strengthening its roster with Belgium’s Febe Jooris, Spain’s Paula Blasi, and France’s Amalia Debarges. These signings follow the recent contract renewals of key riders Ventutelli, Pellegrini, and Kunz, as well as the addition of Scottish rider Eilidh Shaw.
Febe Jooris: building on a time-trial foundation
Belgian rider Febe Jooris, known for her prowess in time trials, has committed to a three-year stint with the team. The 20-year-old, who hails from Deinze, made a splash on the international stage by clinching bronze at the 2022 Junior World Championships time trial in Australia and has since secured two Belgian national ITT titles. Her versatility extends beyond time trials, with a reputation for handling mixed terrain races and competing fiercely in classics.
Reflecting on her decision to join the UAE Development Team, Jooris explained, “The conversation I had with Cherie [Pridham, Head of Sport for UAE Team ADQ] felt really positive and gave me a strong sense of familiarity right away. I was attracted to the team’s commitment to rider development, which is why I chose to join.”
Having faced challenges early this season with mechanical issues and crashes, Jooris managed to turn her season around, winning both the U23 TT and road titles in Belgium. “Winning the U23 TT and road titles was a great reward for my hard work,” she noted. “I’m pleased with my summer performances and look forward to contributing to a strong team next year.”
Looking ahead, Jooris emphasised her ambitions: “We’ll have a super strong lineup with different skills. I hope to bring my hard-riding style to the team and achieve some good results. My personal goals include improving in all kinds of races, especially the classics and stage races with time trials.”
Paula Blasi: a quick climb from duathlon to cycling
In a story of rapid progress, 21-year-old Paula Blasi only transitioned from duathlon to cycling earlier this year after an injury sidelined her initial goals. “Up until late February, I was preparing for the Duathlon National Championship,” Blasi recalled. “An unexpected injury forced me to withdraw, and during my recovery, cycling was my only training option. That’s when I joined a Catalan cycling team and, in March 2024, raced for the first time. I immediately fell in love with the sport.”
Since then, Blasi’s performance has been meteoric, with victories in the Catalunya road and ITT championships, as well as winning the general classification at the Volta Ciclista a Osona. Representing Spain at the World Championships in Zurich, she has shown strong promise for the future.
“Their focus on fostering a team environment rather than just individual success aligns with my values,” Blasi said of her choice to join the UAE Development Team. “After learning about the team’s philosophy, I knew it was the right place for me, where I could grow as a cyclist and person.”
Blasi aims to hone her race tactics in the coming season, stating, “My focus will be on better understanding race dynamics and staying at the front to support my teammates. I also want to enhance my aero position and time trial technique.”
Amalia Debarges: sprinting into the spotlight
At just 18, Amalia Debarges from Bourget du Lac in Savoie is the youngest of the new recruits, but her recent results indicate she’s ready for the next level. She boasts wins in the Classique Féminine du Val de Morteau, podium finishes in Gent-Wevelgem Junior Women, and a second-place finish in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Championships.
Describing her choice to join the UAE Development Team, Debarges shared, “I chose UAE Development Team because their project really appealed to me, and I felt a strong connection with the staff and riders.”
Debarges, a self-described sprinter and puncher, aims to further develop her endurance and race-reading abilities, adding, “I’m committed to developing teamwork through communication and mutual support. I’m sure my new teammates and I will build a great feeling.” Despite a challenging final sprint at the European Championships, she is optimistic about the opportunity to grow within the UAE structure.
A strong foundation for the future
Melissa Moncada, President and Head of UAE Team ADQ, expressed the team’s excitement for the new riders: “With these young riders’ energy, passion, and amazing potential, we’re proud to welcome three of the brightest talents in international cycling to the UAE Development Team. Our commitment is to nurture their growth by providing the necessary resources and opportunities and a supportive and inspiring environment where they can truly thrive. We believe in their future and are excited to be part of their journeys.”
