UAE Team ADQ head into 2026 from a position that reflects steady progression rather than sudden transformation. Third in the 2025 UCI Women’s WorldTour team rankings, behind only FDJ United-SUEZ and SD Worx-Protime, the Italian-based squad has established itself as a reliable points accumulator with genuine winning depth across terrain, disciplines and race types.
While they did not dominate the narrative in the transfer market, UAE Team ADQ’s approach mirrors a broader theme across the leading teams. Incremental strengthening, internal development and selective experience have taken priority over sweeping change. With 21 riders on the roster and only limited turnover, the structure entering 2026 is designed to preserve consistency while subtly raising the ceiling.
A season built on spread responsibility
UAE Team ADQ’s 2025 campaign was defined by breadth. Victories arrived from Grand Tours, WorldTour stage races, one-day events, national championships and gravel, underlining the versatility of the squad. Elisa Longo Borghini anchored the season with overall victory at the Giro d’Italia Women, wins at Brabantse Pijl and Dwars door Vlaanderen, and further success at the UAE Tour Women. Her consistency ensured a steady stream of high-value points.
However, the team’s strength went well beyond a single leader. Silvia Persico claimed Veneto Women late in the season, Maeva Squiban delivered back-to-back Tour de France Femmes stage wins, and Paula Blasi impressed with victories across both stage races and one-day events. Eleonora Gasparrini added WorldTour-level success at the Grand Prix Stuttgart & Region, while Lara Gillespie continued to demonstrate her one-day credentials.
This spread of winners allowed UAE Team ADQ to remain competitive throughout the calendar rather than peaking around a narrow set of objectives.
Photo Credit: GettyContinuity as the default setting
Heading into 2026, the most notable aspect of UAE Team ADQ’s roster management is how little has changed. Only one rider departs for another WorldTour team, with Sofia Bertizzolo moving to FDJ United-SUEZ. Elizabeth Holden and Tereza Neumanova both step away from the sport, but neither exit disrupts the team’s competitive core.
The retained roster blends experience with youth. Longo Borghini remains the focal point for stage races and selective Classics, supported by riders such as Erica Magnaldi and Brodie Chapman, both of whom continue to contribute in climbing-heavy and transitional races. Alena Amialiusik and Mavi Garcia provide experience and race management skills that remain valuable even as their roles evolve.
At the other end of the spectrum, younger riders such as Federica Venturelli, Dominika Wlodarczyk, Karlijn Swinkels and Sofie van Rooijen give the team a steady pipeline of results in one-day races and hilly stages. Van Rooijen’s stage win at the Tour of Chongming Island and Swinkels’ victory at Trofeo Oro in Euro illustrate how UAE Team ADQ are able to extract results outside the biggest headline races.
Selective reinforcement rather than overhaul
Five riders join the squad for 2026, each reinforcing an existing strength rather than creating a new one. Mavi Garcia arrives from Liv AlUla Jayco, adding experience and proven climbing ability. While now in her forties, Garcia continues to deliver competitive results at WorldTour level and offers leadership and depth in mountainous races where pacing and decision-making are critical.
Megan Jastrab brings speed and versatility from Team Picnic PostNL. Still only 24, she adds another option for reduced bunch finishes and selective one-day races, complementing Gasparrini and van Rooijen rather than competing directly with them for role definition.
Febe Jooris and Federica Venturelli both step up from the UAE Development Team, reinforcing the long-term pipeline. Venturelli, in particular, already demonstrated her readiness with a strong 2025 season that included consistent placings and growing confidence in tougher races. Their promotion reflects UAE Team ADQ’s commitment to internal development rather than relying exclusively on external recruitment.
Pauliena Rooijakkers completes the incoming group, joining from Fenix-Deceuninck. Her climbing credentials and stage race experience add depth behind Longo Borghini, giving the team additional flexibility in GC-focused races and reducing the pressure on a single leader.
A roster built for multiple calendars
What sets UAE Team ADQ apart is their ability to remain competitive across a wide range of racing environments. Gravel success from Magnaldi, national titles from Safia Al Sayegh, stage wins at WorldTour level, and consistent one-day performances create a portfolio that suits the UCI ranking system particularly well.
Riders such as Lara Gillespie, Silvia Persico and Maeva Squiban sit in the middle ground, capable of winning from reduced groups or breakaways when the race opens up. Squiban’s two Tour de France Femmes stage wins were among the most eye-catching results of the season, underlining the team’s ability to seize opportunities on the biggest stage.
At the same time, the presence of experienced riders such as Chapman, Amialiusik and Magnaldi ensures that UAE Team ADQ can control races when required, particularly in smaller stage races where organisation and depth often decide outcomes.
Photo Credit: GettyPositioning for 2026
Finishing third in the 2025 UCI team rankings confirmed UAE Team ADQ’s place among the sport’s elite, but also highlighted the gap to the very top. Unlike SD Worx-Protime or FDJ United-SUEZ, their strength lies less in outright dominance and more in sustained accumulation.
The 2026 roster reflects an understanding of that identity. Rather than chasing marquee signings, UAE Team ADQ have doubled down on versatility, internal progression and depth. With Longo Borghini still capable of delivering Grand Tour success and a supporting cast that continues to mature, the team is well-positioned to remain in the top tier of the Women’s WorldTour.
Closing the gap to the top two may require further evolution in GC depth or sprint dominance, but the foundations are solid. UAE Team ADQ enter 2026 as one of the most balanced and reliable squads in the peloton.
2026 UAE Team ADQ Roster
- Safia Al Sayegh
- Alena Amialiusik
- Elynor Backstedt
- Paula Blasi
- Brodie Chapman
- Mavi Garcia
- Eleonora Gasparrini
- Lara Gillespie
- Alena Ivanchenko
- Megan Jastrab
- Febe Jooris
- Elisa Longo Borghini
- Erica Magnaldi
- Greta Marturano
- Silvia Persico
- Pauliena Rooijakkers
- Maeva Squiban
- Karlijn Swinkels
- Sofie van Rooijen
- Federica Venturelli
- Dominika Wlodarczyk
