In the market for talent, UAE Team Emirates has struck a double bargain: Portuguese twins Ivo and Rui Oliveira (photo Bettini), two of the most promising riders in international cycling, have signed on to the team with two-year contracts.

Strength, consistent pacing and speed are among the skills that make up the brothers’ cycling portfolios, along with a technical base forged by track events as well.

Ivo Emanuel Alves Oliveira (68 kg in 185 cm) and Rui Filipe Alves Oliveira (66 kg in 183 cm) were born in Vila Nova de Gaia on September 5, 1996 and in 2017 they debuted as pro riders with the Axeon-Hagens Berman jersey.

In road racing, Ivo was crowned Portuguese Under 23 time trial champion in 2018 and he won the 4th stage in the Circuit des Ardennes International, while Rui captured the National Under 23 title in the in-line race.

Ivo’s cache of track accomplishments centers on the silver medals he won in the 2018 European Championships and in the individual chase at the 2018 World Championships (he was the first Portuguese to capture a podium in a track World Championship, with a remarkable time of 4’12”365); meanwhile, Rui classified 3rd (2017) and 2nd (2018) in the elimination race.