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Greater integration between the UAE Team ADQ WorldTour team and the UAE Development Team
October 4, 2024
UAE Team ADQ and the UAE Development Team have announced the next step in their paths towards greater integration and renewed success.
UAE Team ADQ and the UAE Development Team have announced the next step in their paths towards greater integration and renewed success with news that both teams will utilise and benefit from a shared resource of sports directors and team staff.
Starting from 2025, this is a key transition point for the younger athletes within the team to learn, gain experience and share values and visions within the whole structure of the WorldTour team. At the same time, the new structure will allow the WorldTour riders to share their invaluable knowledge and insight with the development riders and help accelerate their evolution and progress.
Two years ago the UAE Development Team project was set up to provide an exciting platform for young female athletes as they looked to reach their goals and fulfil their dreams in professional cycling. The project was created to develop and inspire riders from all backgrounds and nationalities and help them flourish.
In that time, the UAE Development Team has been part of some incredible success stories with Anastasia Carbonari and Lara Gillespie graduating to the UAE Team ADQ in the WorldTour, and Zahra Hussain following in the footsteps of seven-time United Arab Emirates national champion Safia Al Sayegh.
As a team, we are incredibly proud of those achievements, and whilst we have recently announced the very exciting news with the signings of Elisa Longo Borghini and Brodie Chapman joining the WorldTour team, as well as Karlijn Swinkels extending for two seasons, we have never lost sight of our responsibility and dedication to the development team and its important place within our sport.
Melissa Moncada, the president and head of the team, has confirmed that the UAE Development Team is now ready to take the next step in its journey and that there will be greater integration and cooperation between the women’s WorldTour team and the development project.
"After the first two years of experience that brought excellent results, the team will continue to believe and invest in the UAE Development Team project with a renewed strategy and long-term vision,” Moncada said.
“Our development team has won over 20 races in the last two seasons, including four national titles, and next year we will focus our roster on eight riders from seven different nationalities. This improved focus will allow us to achieve even more excellence and follow our young international talents even more closely”.
“The sports directors and all the staff across both of our women’s teams will be a single structure working with both the WorldTour team and the Development Team riders. This will raise the level further, standardise the programmes and create greater interchangeability between riders and staff, which will be an asset for everyone. We will be even more like one big family, and one where each member will give their best to grow and achieve personal and team goals”.
Over the coming days and weeks, the UAE Development Team will announce several new names and contract extensions.
“We are very happy for the talent joining our Development Team for 2025 season,” Moncada said.
“Each one of our eight riders on next year’s development team brings something exciting and individual to the team, and we are aiming to harmonise those skills and work towards more victories in 2025 and beyond. The collaboration with the WorldTour team will accelerate our development and once again provide the platform to encourage young female riders to harness their abilities,” Moncada added.
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