Feb 22, 2025 Press Conference

TIM MERLIER CONTINUES HIS WINNING STREAK IN ABU DHABI

Back to back victories for the European champion that levels the score with Jonathan Milan, claiming his third in a row at Abu Dhabi Breakwater. Grand finale tomorrow at Jebel Hafeet.

Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 22 February 2025 – Tim Merlier dominated the final sprint of the UAE Tour, securing his third consecutive win at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater finish line. With a perfectly timed sprint, he edged out Jasper Philipsen and Green Jersey wearer Jonathan Milan, bringing his total to seven stage wins in The One and Only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East. The sprint finish was far than guaranteed, as the peloton only caught the last two breakaway survivors, Carlos Samudio and Manuele Tarozzi, with just 2.5 km to go. The duo had been part of a four-men breakaway that also featured Kristian Sbaragli and Black Jersey holder Djordje Djuric. Tomorrow, the decisive stage for the general classification unfolds with the summit finish at Jebel Hafeet. Red Jersey leader Tadej Pogacar will start with a 21″ advantage over Joshua Tarling and 27″ over Ivan Romeo.

Tadej Pogacar was awarded the Red Jersey by Mr. Peter Abraam – Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at IHC – and H.E. Rashed Bin Lahej Al Mansoori – Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG)
2 – Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) at 21″
3 – Ivan Romeo (Movistar Team) at 27″

Stage winner Tim Merlier was awarded by H.E. Aref Hamed Al Awani – General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council – and Mr. Christian Ubbiali – Senior Manager of Sports Events at Modon Communities

STAGE RESULTS
1 – Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), 165km in 3h44’14”, average speed 44.150 km/h
2 – Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) s.t.
3 – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) s.t.

Ms. Alya Al Hosani – Executive Director Community Affairs at Mubadala Investment Company – and H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Ghafli – General Director of the Integrated Transport Center – awarded the Green Jersey to Jonathan Milan

THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS

The leader jerseys of the UAE Tour are provided by ALÉ, with ENIT and ITALIA.IT as proud jersey partners

Red Jersey, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by International Holding Company: IHC – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG)
Green Jersey, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Mubadala -Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
White Jersey, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Nakheel – Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers)
Black Jersey, leader of the Intermediate Sprint Classification, sponsored by ALDAR – Djordje Djuric (Solution Tech Vini Fantini)

Joshua Tarling was awarded the White Jersey by Mr. Saeed Almulla – Director of Authority & Government Relations – and Mr. Christian Ubbiali – Senior Manager of Sports Events at Modon Communities

PRESS CONFERENCE
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Tim Merlier said: “I was a bit dropped today. We tried to organise it like yesterday but it was difficult with the headwind. With 1.5km to go, I lost Bert [Van Lerberghe]. I was behind and he didn’t come back. I was far, I thought it was over but I found a gap with 300 metres to go and I surprised everyone. It was a long effort. I was happy to stay in the front”.

The Red Jersey Tadej Pogacar said: “In a one-week stage race with an uphill sprint, one time trial, three bunch sprints and two mountain stages, you have to be good every day. We are used to the UAE Tour. I’m also used to Jebel Hafeet. I’ve already won there several times but I also lost once to Adam Yates who is now my team-mate. I hope I can deliver again tomorrow or if it’s not me, maybe Jay Vine can do it. For sure we’ll go for it, either way, and bring some more memories from the UAE. We have two cards to play. Jay is also up there on GC. He’s super strong. Let’s hope for good legs tomorrow. It’s going to be another windy day so we’ll have to stay focused from start to finish”.

Djordje Djuric was awarded the Black Jersey by Mr. Jonathan Emery – CEO at ALDAR Development – and H.E. Aref Hamed Al Awani – General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council

STATISTICS

Tim Merlier is the first rider with back-to-back wins at the UAE Tour.
Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen finished 8 times in first and second. In 5 occasions the winner was Merlier, 3 times it was Philipsen. It’s the first time they finish 1-2 at the UAE Tour.
Merlier, Philipsen and Milan shared only one podium before today in a professional race: that was two days ago, when the winner was Milan from Merlier in 2nd and Philipsen in 3rd.
Belgium is the first country with 10 stage wins at the UAE Tour.
Slovenia follows at 6; then Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, United Kingdom at 4.

TOMORROW’S STAGE – STAGE 7, AL AIN HAZZA BIN ZAYED STADIUM-JEBEL HAFEET, 176 KM – BURJEEL STAGE

The route

The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. In the first part, the route winds its way through Al Ain, where many of its landmarks (Al Ain University, Al Qattara, Al Hili) are visited, then takes a long ride through the desert to the west and eventually returns to Green Mubazzarah. Here begins the final climb of Jebel Hafeet, which – at 10 km long – will be the final judge of the race

Final kilometres

The final climb winds through wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are mainly around 8-9%, peaking at 11% with 3 km to go. There is a very short descent in the last km, before the closing ramp. The finish line is on straight asphalt.