UAE Team Emirates-XRG Shines with Victories and Leadership Across Three Global Cycling Races
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: UAE Team Emirates-XRG delivered an impressive performance across three international cycling races on Saturday, securing a stage victory at the Vuelta a España, regaining the overall lead at the Lidl Deutschland Tour and winning a stage at the Tour de l’Avenir, the Emirates News Agency reported.
In Monaco, Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar made a perfect start to the Vuelta a España by winning the opening 9.4-kilometre stage. He edged Ethan Hayter of Soudal Quick-Step by just 0.09 seconds to claim the stage victory and take the red leader’s jersey for the first time in his career.
The victory marked Pogačar’s fourth career stage win at the Vuelta and his 36th Grand Tour stage victory. The two-time reigning world champion also became the overall race leader following the opening stage. Teammates Jay Vine, Ivo Oliveira and João Almeida also finished among the top 20 in the individual time trial.
At the Lidl Deutschland Tour, Mexican rider Isaac del Toro regained the race leader’s jersey after finishing second on stage three. He crossed the finish line alongside stage winner Giulio Pellizzari and established a 52-second advantage over Louis Barré in the general classification.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad played a key role in Del Toro’s success, with Nils Politt, Vegard Stake Laengen and António Morgado contributing to a sustained team effort that helped isolate several of his rivals before Del Toro launched his decisive attack.
Meanwhile, in France, Italian rider Davide Stella secured a stage victory for the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z squad at the Tour de l’Avenir. Stella emerged fastest on stage three, beating Thomas Capra and David Lewandowski in the sprint finish at Saint-Vallier.
The victory capped a highly successful day for UAE Team Emirates-XRG and its development programme, highlighting the depth of talent within the Emirati cycling organisation and its strong presence across major international competitions.
