Image: from FAB Connects X @FABConnects
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
Mexican rising star Isaac del Toro claimed the biggest stage-race victory of his career by winning the 2026 UAE Tour, delivering an impressive all-round performance that included two stage victories and the overall title.
The 22-year-old emerged as the strongest climber in the race, overturning an early deficit to seize control on the decisive ascent of Jebel Hafeet. Italy’s Antonio Tiberi finished second overall, while Australian Luke Plapp completed the podium after a consistent week across the seven-stage event.
Meanwhile, sprint specialist Jonathan Milan dominated the flat stages, collecting an outstanding three stage victories.
Final General Classification
The top five riders at the 2026 UAE Tour were:
- Isaac del Toro (Mexico)
- Antonio Tiberi (Italy) +0:20
- Luke Plapp (Australia) +1:14
- Harold Tejada (Colombia) +1:25
- Felix Gall (Austria) +1:34
Del Toro’s aggressive climbing and consistency throughout the week secured the eighth edition of the Middle East’s only UCI WorldTour stage race.
A week balancing speed and climbing
Held from 16 to 22 February, the UAE Tour combined:
- Flat sprint stages across the desert.
- An individual time trial.
- Two decisive mountain finishes.
- Rolling terrain suited to powerful all-rounders.
The varied route created opportunities for sprinters while ensuring the overall victory would ultimately be decided on the race’s iconic climbs.
Stage 1 – Del Toro makes the perfect start
The opening 144-kilometre stage from Madinat Zayed to Liwa produced the first surprise of the race.
Isaac del Toro claimed victory and immediately took possession of the leader’s jersey, giving the Mexican an early psychological advantage.
Stage 2 – Evenepoel dominates the time trial
Belgian time-trial specialist Remco Evenepoel showcased his trademark power by winning the 12.2-kilometre individual time trial on Al Hudayriyat Island.
The victory propelled Evenepoel into the overall lead and established him as one of the favourites for the general classification.
Stage 3 – Tiberi conquers Jebel Mobrah
The first mountain finish dramatically reshaped the race.
On the steep slopes of Jebel Mobrah, Antonio Tiberi attacked decisively to claim both the stage victory and the leader’s jersey.
Isaac del Toro crossed the line in second, while Lennert Van Eetvelt completed the stage podium.
The day’s biggest surprise came as Remco Evenepoel lost more than two minutes, effectively ending his hopes of overall victory.
Stage 4 – Milan opens his account
Although classified as a hilly stage around Fujairah, the breakaway was finally caught in the closing metres.
Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan powered to victory in a reduced bunch sprint.
Antonio Tiberi successfully defended the race lead.
Stage 5 – Milan doubles up in Dubai
The fast finish through the streets of Dubai once again belonged to Jonathan Milan.
The Italian comfortably outsprinted Erlend Blikra and Matteo Malucelli, collecting his second consecutive stage victory while Tiberi remained in control of the general classification.
Stage 6 – Del Toro conquers Jebel Hafeet
The decisive stage unfolded on the legendary climb to Jebel Hafeet.
Isaac del Toro gradually increased the pressure on race leader Antonio Tiberi during the final four kilometres.
Initially able to follow, the Italian eventually cracked under the relentless pace.
Del Toro accelerated clear, climbing alone to both the stage victory and the race lead in one of the defining performances of the 2026 WorldTour season.
His attack not only secured a second stage win but effectively decided the overall classification.
Stage 7 – Milan completes a hat-trick
The race concluded with a 149-kilometre stage finishing at Abu Dhabi Breakwater.
Jonathan Milan confirmed his status as the fastest sprinter in the race by taking his third stage victory of the week.
The Italian defeated Erlend Blikra and Sam Welsford in another powerful sprint.
Safely finishing in the peloton, Isaac del Toro celebrated his overall triumph.
Del Toro announces himself among cycling’s elite
Already regarded as one of the sport’s brightest young talents, Isaac del Toro demonstrated exceptional maturity throughout the week.
He won both the opening stage and the decisive mountain finish, recovered strongly after losing time in the time trial, and produced the strongest climbing performance on Jebel Hafeet.
His victory represents another significant milestone for Mexican cycling and confirms his emergence as a genuine contender in major stage races.
Milan dominates the sprint competition
While Del Toro controlled the mountains, Jonathan Milan was virtually unbeatable on the flatter terrain.
The Italian captured:
- Stage 4
- Stage 5
- Stage 7
His hat-trick of victories highlighted both his raw sprinting speed and the strength of his lead-out train, making him one of the standout performers of the race.
An exciting start to the WorldTour campaign
The UAE Tour once again provided an ideal early-season test for riders preparing for the spring classics and Grand Tours.
The combination of high-speed desert stages, technical time trialling and demanding mountain finishes delivered a complete examination of the peloton’s leading riders.
For Isaac del Toro, the race will be remembered as the week he firmly established himself among cycling’s elite, while Jonathan Milan confirmed that he remains one of the fastest finishers in professional cycling.