Igor Arrieta claims first pro win in UAE Team Emirates-XRG 1-2-3 at the Ordiziako Klasika

On a remarkable afternoon for UAE Team Emirates-XRG in Spain, Igor Arrieta claimed his first professional victory at the Ordiziako Klasika, with the Emirati squad taking 1-2-3 across the line. Securing a podium lock-out for UAE Team Emirates-XRG in the Basque Country, Isaac del Toro and António Morgado placed second and third, respectively.

With an attacking display across the final climbs of the day, all three riders had gone on the move before Del Toro and Arrieta joined forces within the closing kilometres. It was Arrieta who was able to celebrate his first win, but beaming smiles were also reserved for Del Toro and Morgado as they ensured the Emirati squad would be the first to sweep the Ordiziako Klasika podium since 1978.

After supporting Del Toro to a memorable stage victory and second-place overall at the Giro d’Italia in May, Arrieta earned his own moment in the spotlight in Spain. The 22-year-old produced a lightning-fast descent of the final climb to link up with Del Toro and ride to the line alongside his teammate.

As the team to beat at the start of the day, owing to Del Toro’s recent form, Julius Johansen marshalled the peloton on behalf of UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the start of the day. With his efforts supported by the team of TotalEnergies, the day’s five-man breakaway was never allowed off the leash as the race made its way through the Basque Country.

Consequently, Stefan de Bod (Terengganu Cycling Team) proved the last man to be caught, but well within sight of the final climbs. From 40km to go, it was the UAE Team Emirates-XRG show, as the team flickered between Alessandro Covi pushing the pace in the peloton, and riders shooting off the front in attacks.

The first pair to move were Arrieta and Morgado, who formed a four-man break a little over 33km out from the finish. Although their move was extinguished by the efforts of Movistar and XDS Astana, teammate Pablo Torres then jumped in a separate four-rider attack alongside David Formolo (Movistar), Santiago Umba (XDS Astana) and Mattia Bais (Team Polti VisitMalta).

Their attack forced local team Caja Rural–Seguros RGA into a chase from behind.

Once the Spanish outfit had closed the gap with 16km still to ride, Arrieta made his bid for glory. The Spaniard initially attacked alongside Simon Carr of Cofidis, but the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider soon dispatched of his acquaintance. Heading towards the summit of the final climb of the day, it looked as though Arrieta might ride solo to the finish line in Ordizia.

But bursting from the pack to ensure Emirati numerical superiority at the head of the race, Del Toro rode free of the bunch to dart across to the head of the race. Allowing Del Toro the freedom of the road for a while, Arrieta forced Carr into a futile chase before eventually bridging across to his teammate on the final descent to the town of Ordizia.

With the pair riding to the finish together to celebrate Arrieta’s first pro win, teammate Morgado sprinted to third place from the second group across the line. It was a euphoric afternoon for the Emirati squad in the Basque Country, a feeling echoed by Arrieta and Del Toro in their interviews on the podium.

Arrieta: “It’s the first win of my career and to do it here so close to my home is something indescribable.

“This win would not have been possible without my teammates who were amazing today, so a big thanks to them. To have Isaac and Antonio here with me on the podium makes it extra special.”

Del Toro: “To see Igor take the win today was beautiful. After all the work he did in the Giro to support me, he showed he is a true team player and that makes these moments all the sweeter. His condition is amazing now and we knew we could do something special today and we did.”

Prueba Villafrance – Ordiziako Klasika 2025 result:

1. Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:50:23

2. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t

3. António Morgado (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +16″