Voisard times it to perfection
January 29 th 2026 - 18:36 [GMT + 3]
In a perfectly timed effort, Switzerland’s Yanis Voisard (Tudor) took command of this 2026 Al Ula Tour. On the first test for the GC contenders, a 142km stage from Winter Park to Bir Jaydah Mountain Wikrah and its hilltop finish, the focus was on the final 6km ascent. Despite the usual long breakaway including Kee, Rosli (both Terengganu) and Saudi Arabia’s Hazazi, the pack eventually made it bunched to the decisive moment of the day. As expected the sprinters including Green Jersey Jonathan Milan suffered while Jan Christen powered away with 3kms to go. But the UAE team Emirates XRG leader was finally caught by his rivals. Facing a headwind, Yanis Voisard timed his effort to perfection, passing Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious) in the last few metres. Third place went to Higuita (XDS Astana). With this second success in his career (after a stage win in Hungary back in 2023), the 27-year-old from Fontenais in Switzerland captures the overall lead and will now try to keep the Green Jersey all the way to the end of the race in two days’ time.
After two very fast stages made for sprinters, the Al Ula headed south for its third day in the desert when the GC contenders were expected to shine on the final climb up Bir Jaydah Mountain. After the 113 remaining riders took off from Winter Park for their 142km journey, a fierce battle started as soon as km0 to be in the breakaway. And it wasn’t before km 13 that four riders powered away: Yamamoto (TUK), Kee, Rosli (both TSG) and Hazazi (Sau). While Yamamoto rapidly decided to stop his effort, the leading three saw their gap increase gradually. At km 24, their advantage reached a maximum 3’15” and that’s when UAE team Emirates XRG started chasing. Maintaining a decent tempo at the front of the peloton, the team of Jan Christen kept the breakaways under a tight leash.
PERFECTLY CONTROLLED BREAKAWAY
Just after Saudi Arabia’s Nader Hazazi was the first to be dropped, and eventually caught at km 86, the first Intermediate Active sprint was claimed by Kee ahead of his team mate Rosli while the pack (led by Johansen) moved closer, at 1’30. The second Intermediate Active sprint (km 109) was again won by Kee and that meant that the Malaysian rider would later conquer the Orange Jersey as the Most Active Rider. Meanwhile the pack led by De Bod (MAP) remained 1’20” adrift. The escapees were finally caught after 116kms. The bonus sprint at km 129 was then claimed by Skerl (TBV) ahead of Bauhaus (TBV) and Malucelli. Shortly after at the beginning of a long descent, several riders including Stella and Grellier were caught in a crash.
CHRISTEN FIRST TO STRIKE
With UAE, Soudal-Quickstep and Tudor taking command of the pack, the pace picked up. As the road started going upwards, it was only natural to see the bigger sprinters like Jonathan Milan struggle to follow. The Italian eventually finished his day with a 4’30” deficit on the day’s winner. The first big move came with 3kms to go when Jan Christen (UAE) powered away. He was rapidly caught by Italian Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quickstep) but still far from the finish and facing a strong headwind, they never managed to build a decent enough gap. It would end up with a 10 to 15-man battle all the way to the line. Always well positioned, Yanis Voisard timed his effort at the perfect moment and triumphantly passed Afonso Eulalio to conquer the stage. Third and in the same time was Colombia’s Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana) happy to be back on a podium just under two years since his last one (at the Czech Tour).
VOISARD TAKES OVERALL COMMAND
At age 27, Yanis Voisard clinches the second success of his career (after a stage win in Hungary, back in 2023). The Swiss climber also takes command of the GC with two stages to go. He now has a 4” advantage over Eulalio and 6’’ over Higuita. Winner of two stages so far and certainly hoping for another tomorrow, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) still leads the points classification while Eulalio becomes the best young rider of the Al Ula Tour. Stage 4 tomorrow will take the riders from Winter Park to Hegra for what promises to be a great battle in the wind: a day for the big and fast boys of the peloton.
