Christen plays it smart this time: clever attack earns the Swiss UAE rider the stage and overall victory in the AlUla Tour

Three sprint stages, one climbing day: until now, the AlUla Tour had largely belonged to the fast men. But the organisers saved the best for last. The Saudi stage race finished with the brutally tough climb to Harrat Uwayrid — a climb where Tom Pidcock dominated last year. Could Voisard defend his lead?

The run-in to the final ascent was almost completely flat. Even so, seven riders went up the road, including Belgians Dries De Bondt (Team Jayco AlUla), Lars Vanden Heede (Soudal Quick-Step) and Milan Fretin (Cofidis). Alongside two Spaniards, a Frenchman and an Italian, they built a lead of roughly three minutes.

But everyone knew it wasn’t going to be for the stage win. The break’s advantage was gradually reeled in, thanks to relentless work by Tudor and Bahrain Victorious. A crash — involving, among others, Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana Team) — fortunately didn’t appear to have major consequences. The riders out front kept fighting on, but for how much longer?

Longer than expected, as it turned out. De Bondt and company held on all the way to the foot of the decisive climb. But a one-minute margin looked nowhere near enough to stay ahead of the surging peloton. The climb was absolutely savage: the leaders immediately began to zig-zag across the road. UAE Team Emirates-XRG lifted the pace in the bunch, and the gap disappeared rapidly.

And then came the shock: the seemingly strong Voisard was dropped early. His overall lead evaporated. Who would seize the moment? Team Jayco AlUla attacked with Paul Double, and a front group of around ten riders formed. Notably absent was Afonso Eulálio, second on GC. Higuita looked set to make the difference — but he was countered by a surprising name.

Munton, the South African from Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, looked the strongest on the climb. He was joined by Higuita and Mauri Vansevenant, while Christen and Jan Castellon (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) bridged back from behind. Christen then launched his acceleration: this time he had kept his powder dry and timed it perfectly, slipping onto the wheel of a passing car as he made his move.

Munton gave chase, but the Swiss top favourite had flown. He crossed the line alone — and with Voisard faltering, the stage win also turned into overall victory. The group of remaining favourites, with Higuita and others, arrived too late. And so the pre-race favourite still won the general classification, albeit at the very last moment.