UAE Tour 2026: Del Toro sprints to first leader's jersey

fotobureau Cor VosIsaac del Toro wins the sprint on the punchy uphill finish in the Liwa Oasis. He outguns Cees Bol in a close finish, while Antonio Tiberi comes home in third, and the Mexican champion takes the first leader’s jersey of the UAE Tour. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2026 UAE Tour

1. Isaac del Toro (mex) 2:30:56
2. Ceel Bol (nld) s.t.
3. Antonio Tiberi (ita) s.t.
4. Matteo Malucelli (ita) s.t.
5. Alessandro Romele (ita) s.t.
6. Ilan Van Wilder (bel) s.t.
7. Riley Pickrell (can) s.t.
8. Lennert Van Eetvelt (bel) s.t.
9. Ethan Vernon (gbr) s.t.
10. Tobias Halland Johannessen (nor) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Isaac del Toro (mex)
2. Ceel Bol (nld) + 0:04
3. Antonio Tiberi (ita) + 0:06
4. Jonathan Milan (ita) + 0:07
5. Ben Tulett (gbr) + 0:08
6. Lennert Van Eetvelt (bel) + 0:09
7. Matteo Malucelli (ita) + 0:10
8. Alessandro Romele (ita) s.t.
9. Ilan Van Wilder (bel) s.t.
10. Riley Pickrell (can) s.t.

Race report
Silvan Dillier is the first and only rider to attack. He builds a lead of up to two minutes, before his solo effort comes to an end well before the finale.

Jonathan Milan, who won in the Liwa Oasis last year, hits the tarmac in a crash just before the flamme rouge.

Axel Huens makes a move with around 500 metres to go, providing the perfect target for Isaac del Toro. The Mexican launches out of the peloton and immediately opens up a significant gap. As he begins to fade in the final 50 metres, Cees Bol comes agonisingly close, but with one last all-out effort the Mexican champion holds off the Dutchman to take the win.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2026 UAE Tour 2026.