Feb 19, 2025 Press Conference

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A RAINBOW

Tadej Pogačar repeats his 2022 victory at Jebel Jais and takes the Red Jersey. Onley and Gall complete the podium.

Jebel Jais, 19 February 2025 – Tadej Pogačar claims his first victory of 2025 at Jebel Jais, outpowering his rivals in an uphill sprint launched from the front in the last 300 meters. The Slovenian, now tied with Tim Merlier at five stage wins in the UAE Tour, perfectly executed his team’s strategy, as they controlled most of the final climb. An attack by Felix Gall at 1,500 meters from the finish put Red Jersey Joshua Tarling in trouble, but the UAE Team Emirates – XRG responded immediately, with an impressive Jay Vine setting up Pogačar. In the general classification, the Slovenian now leads with an 18-second advantage over Tarling, who retained the White Jersey, and 23 seconds over Castrillo.

Tadej Pogacar was awarded the Red Jersey by Ms. Martinette Van Vuuren – Group HR Director at Sirius International Holding – and H.E. Aref Al Awani – General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG)
2 – Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) at 18″
3 – Pablo Castrillo (Movistar Team) at 23″

Stage winner Tadej Pogacar was awarded by Sheikh Mohammed Kayed Al Qasimi – Chairman of Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah – and Mr. Raki Philips – CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

STAGE RESULTS
1 – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), 181km in 4h36’04”, average speed 39.338 km/h
2 – Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) s.t.
3 – Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) s.t.

Tadej Pogacar was awarded the Green Jersey by Mr. Ismail Ali Abdulla – Executive Director Mubadala – and Sheikh Mohammed Kayed Al Qasimi – Chairman of Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah

THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS

The leader jerseys of the UAE Tour are provided by ALÉ, with ENIT and ITALIA.IT as proud jersey partners

Red Jersey, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by International Holding Company: IHC – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG)
Green Jersey, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Mubadala -Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) – worn by Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL)
White Jersey, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Nakheel – Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers)
Black Jersey, leader of the Intermediate Sprint Classification, sponsored by ALDAR – Carlos Samudio (Solution Tech Vini Fantini)

Carlos Samudio was awarded the Black Jersey by Mr. Musbah Am Abujarad – Executive Director Projects Procurement – and Mr. Raki Philips – CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

PRESS CONFERENCE
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner and new Red Jersey Tadej Pogacar said: “Everybody watching this race knows that Jebel Jais is windy. It meant the guys pulling were suffering quite a lot but when you’re in the bunch, it’s not like that. Today’s race was no science fiction. I was hoping for Joshua Tarling to stay closer and keep the red jersey so I would have continued racing in the rainbow jersey. At the end I’m happy to lead the race but we also know that Jebel Jais isn’t very suitable for making differences. Every year we hear that this is a sprint of the GC riders. It’s easier to have bigger gaps in steeper climbs, not only for me but in general. It’s great that my parents finally have a chance to come here and watch this race. They’re enjoying it and I also enjoyed to see them on the start line and know that they’d be here at the finish. Today is a confirmation that my winter training has been good. But I already had that feeling yesterday. It’s a motivation booster”.

Joshua Tarling was awarded the White Jersey by Ms. Alessia Piccolo – CEO and owner of Alé Cycling – and Eng. Abdulla Al Abdullie – CEO of Marjan

The White Jersey Joshua Tarling said: “I’m satisfied with how it went. It was quite a smooth pace the whole way up so I’ve settled into a rhythm until Decathlon-AG2R started to really ramp it so with one and half kilometre to get, I was a bit off the back but I some left to keep the pace uphill. We a nice few safe stages and I’ll head into the last day the same way we did today for me and Carlos [Rodriguez]”.

STATISTICS

5th stage win at the UAE Tour for Tadej Pogacar, equalling Tim Merlier for the record.
Tadej Pogacar recorded his 89th professional win, the first this season. His wait for a win was 130 days: since he won Il Lombardia last October.
Only 2 riders won stages at the UAE Tour wearing the Rainbow Jersey: Alejandro Valverde in Jebel Hafeet in 2019 and Tadej Pogacar in Jebel Jais this year.
Oscar Onley posted his 2nd season podium. He was 2nd, like in the 5th stage of the Tour Down Under in Willunga Hill.

TOMORROW’S STAGE – STAGE 4, FUJAIRAH QIDFA BEACH-UMM AL QUWAIN, 181 KM – TAQA STAGE

The route

Starting in Fujairah Qidfa Beach to reach Umm Al Quwain, the stage crosses the desert areas on the edge of the Hajar Mountains. It touches the largest number of Emirates of all the stages. After Masafi, the desert route diverges from the direct highway, mostly following wide, well-paved and straight roads leading to the final sprint in Umm al Quwain. Wind and occasional sand might be determining factors.

Final kilometres

The final km is on a wide avenue.