Jonathan Milan claimed victory on the opening stage of the 2025 UAE Tour, powering past a fading Tadej Pogačar to win an uphill sprint to the line in Liwa. Jasper Philipsen initially crossed the line in second but was later relegated, elevating Finn Fisher-Black to the runner-up spot and Tobias Lund Andresen to third.
The 138km stage, set against the dunes of Liwa, saw a three-man breakaway form early on. Federico Biagini and Manuele Tarozzi were joined by Carlos Samudio, gaining just over three minutes before the peloton gradually reeled them in.
With two laps of the undulating sand dunes circuit completed, the race returned to Liwa for a tough finale. The expected sprint finish was made unpredictable by a chaotic approach and Pogačar’s attempt to lead out his UAE Team Emirates teammate Juan Sebastián Molano, who crashed with 8km to go.
Pogačar’s miscalculation and Milan’s strength
Pogačar, racing for the first time in 128 days, admitted his error in opening up the sprint too early.
“It looked like I was still stuck in my lead-out idea because I went so early in the wind! 250 metres to finish, I exploded and everybody passed,” he said as he warmed down post-race.
Milan, benefiting from his perfect positioning, surged past and held off Fisher-Black and Lund Andresen. The Italian sprinter also took the red leader’s jersey, the green points jersey, and the white best young rider jersey.
Initially second, Philipsen was later relegated to 52nd for irregular sprinting. His deviation cost him a podium finish, promoting Fisher-Black and Lund Andresen.
“I said this morning in the meeting, ‘If I know Tadej, he’s 100% going to try today’ and I think he did in the final, I was right there,” said Fisher-Black post-race.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyTime trial showdown next
Stage 2 brings the first real GC test with a 12km individual time trial on Al Hudayriyat Island. Pogačar, eyeing a third UAE Tour overall victory, remains the clear favourite for the upcoming mountain stages at Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet.
“I am looking forward to tomorrow, it’s going to be the first real long effort of the season,” he said. “The feeling is OK, there was a lot of work done in the winter and I hope it pays off tomorrow in the time trial.”
Milan, meanwhile, acknowledged his unexpected win and the challenge ahead.
“I had a lot of motivation for this uphill finish, even though it was different from what I’m used to. I still had the power for the final metres and the guys guided me to the best spot possible,” he said in the post-race press conference. “Tomorrow, the time trial is not super long, and there are riders in contention who are more specialised than me, but I have a jersey to defend.”
2025 UAE Tour Stage 1 result
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Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
