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Follow us on GoogleJonathan Milan looked as though his UAE Tour might be over after a heavy crash on stage 1, but the Italian fought through the pain to reach the finish — then got himself through the stage 2 time trial and up Jebel Mobrah on stage 3. By stages 4 and 5, his body had recovered enough for him to strike twice in the sprints.
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Milan was already the best in Thursday’s bunch kick on stage 4, despite lingering pain in his right hand, left elbow and hip, and right knee. On Friday he backed it up again on stage 5.
The now 25-year-old Lidl–Trek fast man did it without a lead-out this time. He was perfectly placed near the front, avoided getting caught behind a crash involving his brother Matteo Milan (Groupama–FDJ), and then powered up the left-hand side to deliver another dominant sprint finish.
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Milan knew the UAE Tour finale from 2025
The fact Milan had to do it alone — with no final lead-out — stood out. But the sprinter himself made it sound straightforward. “Last year I finished third at this finish, and from that sprint I knew the final corner was really important.”
After that last bend it became every man for himself, even if XDS Astana tried to put a little train together. “From the corner it’s still a long way to the line and it was difficult for us to stay together. But I was well positioned and I could start my sprint.”
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Milan felt responsibility to deliver for Lidl–Trek
Milan said that was also the minimum after his team controlled the day. “You always have to look for an opening — especially when your team has worked so hard all day. I wanted to deliver for the team. I had to do it.”
Milan already has four wins in 2026: two in the AlUla Tour and now two in the UAE Tour. And, by his own account, he is only just getting started. He is clearly racing with confidence — highlighted by a light-hearted moment with Remco Evenepoel around 30 kilometres from the finish.
The Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider was caught on camera being invited to sprint along, but the reigning time trial world champion declined with a broad smile. Still, the moment said plenty about Milan’s current mindset: he is hunting wins everywhere he can find them in 2026.
“I want to win as much as possible. On Saturday we’ll be climbing, but on Sunday there’s another chance for the sprinters.”
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026
