The 2026 UAE Tour came to a close under the banner of Isaac Del Toro and Jonathan Milan. The Mexican rider rode a controlled and risk-free final stage, the Abu Dhabi Ports Group Stage, to secure the Unity Trophy in what was his first race of the season. Joining him on the final podium were Antonio Tiberi, winner in Jebel Mobrah, and Luke Plapp, back in the top 3 of The One and Only WorldTour race in the Middle East after three years. The closing stage confirmed Jonathan Milan as the dominant sprinter of the race. The Italian claimed his third victory in as many bunch sprints and sealed the Green Jersey, a title he had already won in 2025 and successfully defended in this edition. In the final sprint, after the peloton reeled in the breakaway quartet of Callum Thornley, Daan Hoole, Aivaras Mikutis and Lorenzo Milesi with just 2 km to go, the Lidl-Trek sprinter powered to victory ahead of Erlend Blikra, once again second after Dubai, and Sam Welsford. In the other classifications, Del Toro also claimed the White Jersey, while Silvan Dillier secured the Black Jersey. UAE Team Emirates XRG rounded off the week by winning the team classification.
Speaking immediately after being presented with the Red Jersey and the race winner’s trophy on the podium, Isaac Del Toro said: “It’s really special, honestly, to win my first WorldTour stage race. I’m super happy with the guys, they helped me out tremendously. I can’t be prouder of this. It was a great feeling to ride in Abu Dhabi today, like the other day in the streets of Dubai watching the skyline. It was emotional on the bike today. I enjoyed that the race was so fast today. I’ll always remember this UAE Tour. Yesterday at Jebel Hafeet, we just followed the plan. It’s not easy to be a leader in this team because everyone is so good but it’s a big satisfaction to win our team’s home race”.
Speaking at the press conference, the Green Jersey and stage winner Jonathan Milan said: “It’s a nice result to finish the UAE Tour with three stage wins and the points classification. My team was really pushing me to achieve that. They led me out for my sprint, I thank them a lot for the support. The UAE Tour is also an excellent lead up to the classics. It’s never easy to win races but I realise that I’m a bit more confident than last year”.
GC Runner-up Antonio Tiberi said: “One week ago, I would have signed up for this second place. This final result, along with a nice stage victory, is amazing, especially at the beginning of the season. Isaac [Del Toro] is a big champion. Maybe he can become even bigger than Tadej [Pogacar]. Everybody saw him almost winning the Giro d’Italia last year at a super young age. If I continue the season with good feelings in the legs like now, I can be ambitious for the rest of the season”.
Third placed Luke Plapp said: “I really enjoy the UAE Tour. Coming from Australia, it’s a pleasure to use my form over the summer. I had good memories from making the podium already three years ago with Remco [Evenepoel] and Adam Yates. The field was stronger this year, so it makes me proud and happy to be in the top 3 again. Jebel Mobrah on stage 3 was the hardest climb I’ve ever done. It changed the race for the better. I’ll definitely come back to the UAE Tour. I always love to come here”.
Stage 7 Results:
- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), 149km in 2h56’48”, average speed 50.566 km/h
- Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) s.t.
- Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.
Final General Classification:
- Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) at 20″
- Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) at 1’14”
- Harold Tejada (XDS Astana Team) at 1’25”
- Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) at 1’34”
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