UAE Team Emirates-XRG Names Lineup For Tour Down Under 2026 Led By Narváez In Adelaide

UAE Team Emirates-XRG has confirmed its riders for the first WorldTour stage race of the season, the Santos Tour Down Under. The squad will again centre its plans on Jhonatan Narváez, who returns to Australia as defending overall winner after last season’s success on Willunga Hill.

The Ecuadorian national champion secured that general classification crown during the 2025 campaign, using a decisive attack on Willunga Hill. Narváez, now 28, is preparing for a third appearance in Adelaide and has so far claimed one stage win at each of his previous Tour Down Under participations.

Narváez will not be the only climber carrying expectations for UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the Santos Tour Down Under. The roster also features Jay Vine and Adam Yates, giving the Emirati outfit a trio of leaders with strong climbing profiles for the demanding Australian terrain.

Danish riders Mikkel Bjerg and Vegard Stake Laengen are selected as key support in the engine room for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Both riders previously raced the Tour Down Under in 2020, where their teamwork helped Diego Ulissi secure second place in the general classification after six competitive stages.

The 2026 Tour Down Under will run from 20th to 25th January over six days of racing. This edition begins with a prologue and then continues with five road stages, which will collectively determine the new wearer of the ochre leader’s jersey at the end of the event.

Race organisers have again based the Santos Tour Down Under around Adelaide in South Australia, using roads that reward climbers and resilient all-rounders. Across 758.8km of competition and 13,187m of elevation gain, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will attempt to extend the team’s strong record at this race.

The Santos Tour Down Under presents UAE Team Emirates-XRG with an early chance to defend a prestigious title and test form against WorldTour rivals. With Jhonatan Narváez leading a balanced squad that includes Jay Vine, Adam Yates, Mikkel Bjerg and Vegard Stake Laengen, the team approaches Adelaide with clear ambitions across the challenging 2026 route.

With inputs from WAM