The three-time world time trial champion Remco Evenepoel lived up to expectations, claiming victory in the Breitling ITT Stage on Al Hudayriyat Island and, in addition to the stage win, taking over the Red Jersey as leader of the general classification in the 2026 UAE Tour.
Securing his seventh win of the season, Evenepoel covered the 12.2 km course in 13’03”, at an average speed of over 56 km/h—enough to leave Joshua Tarling (6”) and Rémi Cavagna (12”) behind him. Former Red Jersey holder Isaac Del Toro finished 42” down, the same time as Ben O’Connor, and behind other GC contenders such as Antonio Tiberi (34”) and Derek Gee (35”). Further back were Michael Storer (47”), Felix Gall (57”), Lennert Van Eetvelt (1’03”), and Adam Yates (1’04”). Tomorrow, the general classification is set for another major shake-up with the unprecedented uphill finish at Jebel Mobrah: 14.9 km at an average gradient of 8.6%, with sustained ramps above 12% over the final 6 km.
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner and Red Jersey Remco Evenepoel said: “Today I couldn’t go any faster. Short and very explosive, it wasn’t my favourite time trial. It suited Joshua [Tarling] a bit better, but I got the fastest intermediate time check and I went a bit faster than the others in the second part of the race. It’s my fastest individual time trial so far, it’s due to a combination of factors: I was able to push the power, the temperature was perfect, the road‘s surface was perfect too, there weren’t many corners, I’m happy with all the conditions today. The wind was pretty strong, it came earlier than predicted, so maybe it influenced the result less than we thought yesterday, but our choice enabled me to start my recovery sooner. In the end I’m happy with the decision we took as I made my plan to be ready for an early start. I’m very curious about tomorrow’s stage. I’ve been training on longer effort and I’m 30” ahead of most of my opponents. I’ll do my best to win the UAE Tour”.
The White Jersey Joshua Tarling said: “I think the wind was a little bit stronger and a little bit in a different direction compared to last year. In the first straight, it was more crosswind last year and headwind today. For me, obviously I would have preferred to win it but I got everything out. For sure we have to try and beat Remco [Evenepoel] in the future. I just need to sharpen a few things up. We’ll get there! I don’t think we’re far off, there are just a few things that need to be done. For the rest of the UAE Tour, I’ll try to do some good lead out for Sam [Welsford] and tomorrow with the climb we’ll look after Embret [Svestad-Bårdseng] and Peter [Øxenberg] and see how it goes”.
Stage 2 Brief Results
- Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe), 12.2km in 13’03”, average speed 56.092 km/h
- Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) at 6″
- Remi Cavagna (Groupama–FDJ United) at 12″
General Classification After Stage 2
- Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe)
- Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) at 6″
- Remi Cavagna (Groupama-FDJ United) at 12″
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