Valcar officially turns into UAE Team ADQ Development Team

Mathew Mitchell

Published on January 15, 2023
in Women's Cycling

The UCI’s published list of Continental teams for the 2023 season is outstanding but we already know something like 95% of the Continental teams. One big name missing from the 2023 season is Valcar. The team finished in the top 10 of the rankings last season but unfortunately appeared to hit their ceiling. Valcar as a sponsor had limited goals as they only sell within Italy and once the exodus of staff and riders to UAE Team ADQ began, it didn’t stop. That rather spelled the death knell for the team in pink as they had to reduce back to their roots. Unearthing stars like Elisa Balsamo and Chiara Consonni (plus many many more) will be the team’s legacy. In the end, five riders switched from Valcar to UAE Team ADQ: Silvia Persico, Chiara Consonni, Eleonora Gasparrini, Olivia Baril and Karolina Kumiega.

The remnants of the team will be absorbed into the UAE Team ADQ structure. With new rules allowing teams greater incentives for having a development team, the UAE team has joined in. Riders will be allowed to go up and down between the teams for certain race types. For instance, Silvia Persico could race for the UAE Team ADQ Development Team in a 1.1 race. Conversely, Yulia Biriukova could go the other way to the main UAE Team ADQ team for non-WWT races.

“I made this choice to guarantee a better future for the team and to ensure continuity of the project we have been building in recent years. We have always tried to develop talent and be a pond for WorldTour teams. This has always been our priority. Of course I am very happy that a large and prestigious team like UAE Team ADQ has an eye for us. This is a priceless recognition of our qualities and hard work over the years. Now a new challenge begins, which gives a lot of motivation, and a new path that we will walk together.”
Valentino Villa, UAE Team ADQ Development Team manager

As part of the UAE Development Team, the UAE Team ADQ will offer young female riders mentorship opportunities and performance-based career contracts. Support services offered to young riders will also include high-level individual coaching, supervised training, mental coaching, race programmes and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of teams participating in World Tour events. All in all, it seems a far cry from the first UAE-linked development team – Colnago CM.

“With this new squad and in line with our core values and DNA, we are delighted to open a unique and professional path for young talents who professional career. Our main goal is to identify, develop and nurture the talents of our nation and beyond, and create future world leaders in the women’s cycling industry. We are excited and proud of this new milestone in our young history.”
Melissa Moncada, head of UAE Team ADQ