Feb 21, 2025 Press Conference

TIM MERLIER PUTS ON A MASTERCLASS

The European Champion claims his sixth UAE Tour victory in the fastest stage ever. Italians Malucelli and Milan complete the podium. Pogacar and Van Eetvelt gain 3” on their GC rivals thanks to bonus seconds at Intermediate Sprints.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, 21 February 2025 – Tim Merlier extends his UAE Tour record by securing his sixth victory in the fastest-ever stage (48.571 km/h) of the One and Only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East. It was once again Tadej Pogacar who shook the things up. The Red Jersey, along with Black Jersey holder Djordje Djuric and defending champion Lennart Van Eetvelt, joined an early-stage breakaway that animated the first part of the race. Thanks to the Intermediate Sprints, Pogacar and Van Eetvelt gained 3” over their GC competitors. With 39 km to go, the peloton reeled in the breakaway, setting the stage for a sprinter showdown. After a crash little over 3 km to go, the final sprint battle was between Merlier and Green Jersey holder Milan. This time it was the European Champion who had the best, while Malucelli edged out his compatriot with a last-second bike throw to claim second place.

Tadej Pogacar was awarded the Red Jersey by H.E. Mariam Almheiri – CEO of 2PointZero – and Mr. Jacob Uppall – President and Managing Director at General Motors Africa and Middle East

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 Hareb – General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council – and H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar – Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohamed Smart University

STAGE RESULTS
1 – Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), 160km in 3h16’55”, average speed 48.571 km/h
2 – Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana Team) s.t.
3 – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) s.t.

Joshua Tarling was awarded the White Jersey by Mr. Hashem Alkaabi – Executive Director of Instrastructure Projects Delivery at Nakheel – and H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar – Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohamed Smart University

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)

Djordje Djuric was awarded the Black Jersey by Ms. Sonja Erakovic – Senior Vice President at ALDAR World – and H.E. Nasser Al Rahma – Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council.

PRESS CONFERENCE
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Tim Merlier said: “I was thinking during the race that maybe I could win the fastest ever stage of the UAE Tour. This is a WorldTour race so it’s a very important one for all of us. Yesterday there were several moves in the wind, then I couldn’t find any slipstream anymore, I had to pass two riders to choose my moment and I saw Jonathan Milan was already starting his sprint. I was lacking a bit of speed. Today, I was coming back from a pee stop when Tadej Pogacar attacked and we started pulling then we asked help from other teams. The guys did a very good job to bring it back. I’m very satisfied with today’s victory”.

The Red Jersey Tadej Pogacar said: ““It was not the plan to extend my lead throughout time bonuses today but the move happened in a funny moment just like last year at Volta Catalunya when Domen [Novak] came with me to the front but today, other guys followed as well and it turned out to be a breakaway. We just sort of commit but we tried not to spend too much. It was a good day out, trying to keep the breakaway alive. We finished the stage much faster because of that. In the finale, my team-mates tried to make a bubble around me behind the sprinters’ teams, just to stay safe. For 90% of the peloton, it was a comfortable day on the road”.

Jonathan Milan was awarded the Green Jersey by Ms. Umaima Abukabar – Deputy Chief Communications Officer at Mubadala – and H.E. Nasser Al Rahma – Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council

The Green Jersey Jonathan Milan said: “It was a difficult finale and [team-mate] Simone [Consonni] crashed, quite far away from the end. But he was feeling good so we tried to move together. It just happens that in the last kilometres sometimes you miss each other, it’s important to learn from a situation like today’s and to keep pushing and looking for other victories. Tomorrow we have another good stage. I’m looking forward to it although I’m starting to feel the heat but I still have good legs. Congratulations to Tim Merlier for his win today. He did a nice sprint”.

STATISTICS

Today’s stage was run at 48,751 kph, the new record for a road stage of the UAE Tour, beating the Al Mirfa stage of 2021, won by Mathieu Van der Poel at 46,771 kph.
Tim Merlier recorded his 53rd professional win, the 3rd this year after stages 1 and 3 at the AlUla Tour.
Matteo Malucelli (2nd) posted his first career top-3 in a World Tour race.
Up to now he had recorded 41 podiums in Professional races, but not at World Tour level.
Team Soudal-Quick Step, in its various denominations, is the first one with 10 stages won at the UAE Tour, leaving UAE Team Emirates at 9.

TOMORROW’S STAGE – STAGE 6, ABU DHABI CYCLING CLUB-ABU DHABI BREAKWATER, 165KM – MODON STAGE

The route

A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. Starting at the Abu Dhabi Cycle Club, the route passes through Khalifa City, Yas Island, and returns to Abu Dhabi via Saadiyat Island. The route crosses Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island, and Yifenah Island, with a key passage at Qasr Al Hosn. The final approach leads from south to north, concluding at Abu Dhabi Breakwater in a likely sprint finish.

Final kilometres

The last 5 km are on a wide road with large half-curves leading to the finish line on tarmac.