Evenepoel attacks from kilometre zero, but can’t deny Del Toro overall win or Milan’s UAE Tour hat-trick

The final stage was always expected to end in a sprint, with Del Toro simply needing to survive one more flat day to confirm the GC victory after stamping his authority on the decisive climbing finish to Jebel Hafeet. A formality on paper — but not if Evenepoel had anything to say about it.

Evenepoel went on the offensive almost immediately, attacking from kilometre one and briefly creating a moment of tension in the bunch. Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) and Cole Kessler (Lidl–Trek) managed to go with him, and with Evenepoel starting the day 2:27 down on race leader Del Toro, UAE Team Emirates–XRG opted not to take any chances and helped reel the move back in. Velon summed up the opening fireworks with a simple line: “Evenepoel racing aggressively straight from the flag drop…”

After the initial skirmish, a new break formed with Daan Hoole (Decathlon–CMA CGM), Callum Thornley (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe), Ezra Caudell (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar) and Aivaras Mikutis (Tudor). It was a strong, hard-riding group — but the peloton never allowed much freedom.

In any case, the speed was extremely high. The average speed remained above 50 kilometers per hour, partly thanks to the efforts of Evenepoel and the strong five riders at the front. They were all fast riders, so it took a while before they came into sight of the peloton. Caudell had to let his breakaway companions go, so there were four of us left.

They held out for a long time, but it seemed hopeless. In the final stretch, the peloton quickly closed in, and with 2 kilometers to go, it was all over for Hoole and co. Could anyone beat Jonathan Milan? NSN Cycling did everything they could for Ethan Vernon, but XDS Astana, Lotto-Intermarché, and Alpecin-Premier Tech also got involved.

Milan kept a low profile for a long time, as Lidl-Trek has often done. Under the rag, the team took the lead, after which Milan went first. Even though the wind was head-on, the Italian was once again the strongest and took his third win in the UAE Tour this year. Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) finished second, ahead of Sam Welsford (INEOS Grenadiers).