UAE Tour 2025: Merlier wins in Dubai, Pogacar extends GC lead

fotobureau Cor VosIn a crash-marred finale, Tim Merlier sprints to victory in Dubai. He holds off Matteo Malucelli and Jonathan Milan, while Tadej Pogačar retains the leader’s jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2025 UAE Tour

1. Tim Merlier (bel)
2. Matteo Malucelli (ita) s.t.
3. Jonathan Milan (ita) s.t.
4. Sam Welsord (aus) s.t.
5. Oded Kogut (isr) s.t.
6. Maikel Zijlaard (nld) s.t.
7. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
8. Phil Bauhaus (ger) s.t.
9. Elmar Reinders (nld)
10. Luka Mezgec (slo) s.t.

GC after stage 5
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Joshua Tarling (gbr) + 0.21
3. Iván Romeo (spa) + 0.27
4. Finn Fisher-Black (nzl) + 0.28
5. Jay Vine (aus) + 0.36
6. Giulio Ciccone (ita) + 0.37
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.38
8. Lennert Van Eetvelt (bel) s.t.
9. Harold Tejada (col) + 0.41
10. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 0.44

Race report
In a lively opening phase, Đorđe Đurić, Manuele Tarozzi and Kristian Sbaragli break away from the peloton. The pace doesn’t drop. Federico Biagini and Carlos Samudio also join the move, while Tadej Pogačar and defending champion Lennert Van Eetvelt are active in a group behind. In fact, they bridge across to the front group.

The attackers open up a maximum lead of over 2 minutes before being caught with 39 kilometres remaining. In the meantime, Pogacar took 3 seconds in the intermediate sprint.

Two crashes inside the last 4 kilometres cause chaos, preventing several sprinters from contesting the finish. But not Tim Merlier — the European champion powers to a convincing victory.

Pogacar strengthens his lead in the general classification thanks to bonus seconds collected along the way.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2025 UAE Tour.