Jan Christen claims AlUla Tour title with an epic late attack

Turning the race on its head with an incredible late attack, Jan Christen stormed to victory on stage 5 of the AlUla Tour, and in doing so, claimed the overall win. In addition to Christen’s heroics, Igor Arrieta took third in both the stage and the general classification, whilst their UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad sealed the Team Classification.

With two riders on the final podium, stage 5 of the AlUla Tour could not have gone better for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who bided their time all week before scooping the spoils in the final possible moment. For Christen, the AlUla Tour marks his first GC victory in a stage race, and the 21-year-old’s stage triumph on Saturday will be long remembered.

Keeping his cards close to his chest on the final climb, Christen worked his way into an elite group at the head of the race before making an audacious solo attack inside the final 10km. Once the Swiss rider had opened up a gap, he refused to relent, with the youngster eventually crossing the line some 32 seconds ahead of his rivals in the general classification.

Beginning the day with a 33-second deficit to make up, Christen’s remarkable lone attack and the accumulated bonus seconds guided him to the leader’s jersey on the final podium. It was no less than his brave move deserved on the road to the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid.

Speaking to reporters after the finish, Christen reflected on his afternoon’s work and dedicated his victory to teammate Davide Stella, who crashed out of the race on stage 3.

Christen: “I remembered back to a junior stage race where I also won the GC like this on the last stage, so I knew it was not over until the last stage. Now, to make it like today, it is just incredible. My winter was quite good, my trainer gave me confidence and also all the guys here supported me and lifted me. They did almost everything perfect, so I wanted to give something back to them.

“I did not want to go too early because I knew the last 10km were quite hard, especially with the headwind. Today, I kept my legs in the climb, I did a bit of a show attack in the top because I knew if some guys come past me, they would maybe blow up. I just kept my pace over the top and then I knew if I did a big attack on the flat part, I should have more power than the other climbers.

“It means so much, it is my first-ever stage race overall win and I have really enjoyed the last five days.

“For me, it is absolutely amazing to see how much the team believed in me here, and worked so good and so well together here. Especially after the hard crash from Stella, I also saw in the race and it did not look nice at all. I wish him all the best and hope to see him soon back on the bike. This win is for him and I hope to race soon with him again.”

As for Stella, the young Italian sprinter will fly back to Europe with the team on Sunday, and Medical Director Dr Adrian Rotunno has provided a medical update.

Dr Adriano Rotunno (Medical Director): “Davide fortunately escaped serious injury, given the severity of the crash, but suffered heavy abrasions to his back and gluteal areas. These required surgical cleaning, for which he remains in hospital under observation. He will aim to fly back to Europe in the coming days, accompanied by a team doctor.”

AlUla Tour stage 5 results:

1. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:36:05

2. Byron Unton (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) +11″

3. Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +32″

8. Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +39″

AlUla Tour final general classification after stage 5:

1. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 17:23:43

2. Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana Team) +13″

3. Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +21″

11. Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +39″

Over in Spain at the Challenge Mallorca, meanwhile, António Morgado continued his tremendous run of form, with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG youngster picking up fourth place at the Trofeo Andratx-Pollença.

Morgado won the Trofeo Calvià earlier in the week and has performed well in every outing since. Thursday brought a handy finish for his Emirati squad in the TTT, before Friday and Saturday have both seen the Portuguese rider push towards the top of the standings.

The 22-year-old finished second only to Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) in Trofeo Serra Tramuntana on Friday, and followed this up with fourth in Trofeo Andratx-Pollença. Evenepoel was the winner once more, with the former world champion proving unstoppable with another solo attack.

Trofeo Andratx-Pollença 2026 results:

1. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) 2:58:34

2. Mathys Rondel (Tudor Pro Cycling) +19″

3. Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +1:44

4. António Morgado (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t