Spanish rider Paula Blasi made her WorldTour debut today.
The 22-year-old from Llivia, Catalonia (born on February 19), is one of the brightest talents to emerge from the UAE Development Team. Following her outstanding performances in recent months, she has signed a two-year contract (2026–2027) with UAE Team ADQ.
Her journey into cycling is far from ordinary. After competing in athletics, duathlon, and triathlon, an injury left cycling as her only viable sporting option. She took up the sport seriously in January 2024 and immediately began to show remarkable talent. Welcomed into the UAE Development Team at the beginning of the 2025 season, she was carefully supported in her progression and quickly delivered impressive results – including three victories in the past month: the Gran Premio della Liberazione in Rome on April 25, the Catalan Road Championship the next day, and the Pointe du Raz Ladies Classic in France on May 8.
Paula Blasi shared her excitement: “Of course I’m thrilled about this step forward, but to me it also feels like a natural progression. I’m staying within the same family, and from the very beginning of my journey with UAE I hoped this moment would come. It’s incredible to think I only started cycling seriously just over a year ago, and now I’ve signed with a WorldTour team. It’s hard to put into words all the emotions I’m feeling right now.”
A 4th place finisher at the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir Femmes, Blasi continued: “This is a huge opportunity for me. I want to give everything I’ve got and show the team that I can be a strong, reliable rider. UAE was the first team to believe in me and offered me my first contract – and now, once again, they are placing their trust in me. The structure is fantastic, the riders are strong, and the staff is truly supportive. Everything is happening very fast, but I’m ready. I’m happy, and I’m going full gas into this new chapter!”
Melissa Moncada, President of UAE Team ADQ, commented: “We’ve believed in Paula Blasi’s potential from day one. She has proven herself to be a strong, ambitious athlete with a winning mindset. Once again, a talented rider from our Development Team is making the step into the WorldTour, which confirms the value of our project. We are confident that, with our support, Paula will continue to grow and show the full extent of her talent.”
And in her very first WorldTour race, today’s opening stage of Itzulia Women – 148.5 km from Zumarraga to Agurain – Paula Blasi came close to the podium, finishing an impressive fourth.
Her teammate Karlijn Swinkels followed closely in sixth place.
Two more stages await over the next two days.
(ph. Aymeric Lassak)
