Matteo Trentin: Fun, friendship and ambition with UAE Team Emirates

This might be my first season with UAE Team Emirates, but it feels like I've been part of the family a lot longer.

Before I joined, I already knew quite a few of the riders and some of the staff, which made settling in so much easier.

Since arriving, I have seen first hand how Mauro [Gianetti], our team principle, has created a really strong culture that’s focused on winning and being professional, but also one that places a lot of emphasis on having fun and making friends.

I was certainly made to feel very welcome, both by the team and also by everyone I met when we were in the UAE for training.

Having our training camp in Abu Dhabi was a great experience. Not only did I get to spend quality time with the guys, but I learnt a lot about the culture and history of the UAE, I got to try some local food and go out into the desert to ride my bike – something you don’t get to do all that often living in Europe!

We were also able to meet a lot of our sponsors who are based in the UAE. This is really important for us, as we can’t achieve our goals without their support.

All of these experiences reassured me that I’d made a great decision joining the team. I decided to sign for UAE Team Emirates because I wanted to be part of an ambitious project that had a long-term vision and a clear plan for me. In the current climate that’s not easy to achieve, so I am really happy that they have trusted me and made me feel part of something special.

I’ve been equally impressed with the team’s focus on the development of young riders - and it’s exciting to be part of a squad that has a great mix of both experienced riders and some of the best young talent in the pro peloton; like Tadej Pogacar.

It’s something I want to contribute to with my experience as well as my fighting mentality, especially with the younger generation who will be facing these kinds of races for the first time.

Having Alexander Kristoff as a teammate will also help with this and I think we can be a dynamic duo. We are both super strong classic riders and ex-European champions. This poses a double threat to other teams as I can be more active in the race knowing he is there if it comes to a bunch sprint. On the other hand, he can be more relaxed in the bunch and focus all his energy and power in the final few hundred metres.

When we were first discussing my move to the team, I felt really proud when Mauro said that he liked my style of racing and my winning mentality, which he saw as a real advantage for the team.

Having that faith in me is something I want to repay with strong performances, and, of course, some wins. Thankfully, we've started our season well. Getting a result in the UAE Tour was a big objective and one that we were able to realise with Tadej winning a stage and the general classification. It's given us all a boost and we are full of confidence.

My goal for this year is simple: I want to win races. My first objective is to focus on the classics. And I want to take another step forward in the big classics and monuments. Then there’s the Tour de France. Last year I won Stage 17, but my dream for this year is to win the green jersey. Lastly, I want to focus on the Road World Championship where I finished second last year.

A lot is coming up, but I feel very strong and am really looking forward to achieving my goals with a UAE flag on my jersey.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Matteo Trentin: Fun, friendship and ambition with UAE Team Emirates

In the latest column from the team, the Italian rider reveals he already feels part of the family

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

UPI facts