Results AlUla Tour 2025 | Merlier and Pidcock take two each, but Q36.5 celebrates the most in the desert
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Follow us on GoogleFrom Oceania to Europe to Saudi Arabia—that sums up the start of the 2025 men’s elite cycling season. After the Tour Down Under and several races in Valencia, the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia was next on the calendar. IDLProCycling.com followed the five-day event closely.
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The AlUla Tour was first introduced in 2020 as the Saudi Tour, though it was already exclusively raced in the historic desert region. Back then, Phil Bauhaus claimed overall victory in a stage race primarily suited to sprinters. However, the following year, the race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event returned in 2022 with a new summit finish on the Harrat Uwayrid plateau, favoring climbers. Maxim Van Gils took the overall win, followed by Ruben Guerreiro in 2023. In 2024, Simon Yates secured a major victory for Jayco AlUla—fittingly named—by narrowly edging out William Junior Lecerf and Finn Fisher-Black.
Most recent winners AlUla Tour
2024 Simon Yates
2023 Ruben Guerreiro
2022 Maxim Van Gils
2021 Cancelled
2020 Phil Bauhaus
2023 Ruben Guerreiro
2022 Maxim Van Gils
2020 Phil Bauhaus
Course, favorites stage wins and times - AlUla Tour 2025
Stage 1, Tuesday, January 28, 2025: Al Manshiyah Train Station - Al Manshiyah Train Station (142.7 km)
The flat opening stage was the perfect opportunity for sprinters to kick off their accounts. With a strong field of contenders, an exciting finale was expected—but Tim Merlier simply proved too fast for the competition. The Belgian rider from Soudal Quick-Step outpaced Juan Sebastián Molano and Maikel Zijlaard to claim victory, making him the first leader of the AlUla Tour.
Winner
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 2, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025: AlUla - Mountain Wirkah (157.7 km)
Stage two introduced a brand-new finish in the AlUla Tour: Mountain Wikrah. After setting off from AlUla, the riders arrived at a circuit after just over seventy kilometers, with this decisive climb at its core. At 2.8 kilometers long and with an average gradient of 9.4%, it was tailor-made for the punchers who had made the trip to Saudi Arabia. Tom Pidcock capitalized on the opportunity, securing victory in a stage that was shortened and neutralized late in the race.
Winner
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 3, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025: Hegra - Tayma Fort (180.6 km)
The third stage was another one for the sprinters, but what seemed like a straightforward challenge turned into a battle against the wind. Echelons shattered the peloton and ramped up the pace. In the final sprint, Tim Merlier once again proved dominant, launching from the front and holding off Dylan Groenewegen. However, the finish was marred by a nasty crash that saw Nils Eekhoff taken to the hospital.
Winner
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 4, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025: Maraya - Harrat Uwayrid (140.9 km)
The former queen stage of the AlUla Tour may have been overshadowed by Mountain Wikrah, but the Harrat Uwayrid Plateau still played a crucial role. This stage became even more decisive after the shortening of stage two. The brutal 2.5-kilometer climb at a 12% average gradient provided another perfect launchpad for Tom Pidcock, who powered to his second stage win of the race.
Winner
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5)
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 5, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025: AlUla Camel Cup Track - AlUla Camel Cup Track (169.6 km)
The final stage of the AlUla Tour featured a start and finish at the AlUla Camel Cup Track. With a short climb and descent leading into the finale, it was the same finish where Tim Merlier had triumphed last year. But this time, after a thrilling echelon-heavy race, it was Matteo Moschetti who delivered the win for Q36.5. The team had an outstanding race overall, with Tom Pidcock securing both two stage wins and the general classification title.
Winner
Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Final general classification AlUla Tour 2025
Tom Pidcock won the 2025 AlUla Tour, securing the first overall stage race victory of his career. It was an impressive debut for Q36.5, which signed him from INEOS Grenadiers over the winter.
Pidcock also claimed the points classification, while Johannes Kulset of Uno-X took home the young rider classification.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
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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