Christen hits back to win 2026 AlUla Tour
January 31 st 2026 - 17:39 [GMT + 3]
There were fireworks on the final stage of the AlUla Tour — and, as expected, everything came down to the last climb to the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid and the long straight to the line.
A group of seven riders went clear in the opening kilometres of stage 5, but they were reeled in once the road began to rise over the final 15 km. On the steepest ramps, Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana), despite having crashed at km 88, launched a powerful move. The Colombian crested alongside Maurice Vansevenant (Soudal Quick-Step) and Byron Munton (Modern Adventure), while green-jersey Yanis Voisard struggled further back.
On the final 8 km straight, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG) bridged across to the leaders and then attacked with 3 km to go. He stayed clear and extended his advantage all the way to the finish, taking the stage ahead of Byron Munton and Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates XRG) — and sealing overall victory as well.
After crashing twice on day 1, the Swiss rider completed an outstanding comeback to claim the first stage race win of his career. At just 21 years old, Christen wins the 2026 AlUla Tour ahead of Higuita and Arrieta.
The 105 remaining riders of the 2026 Al Ula Tour (one non-starter: Egholm) were treated to a picturesque start for the final stage of the event. Indeed, like on previous editions, the Old Town of Al Ula was the scene of the last sign-in and a final opportunity for a group picture before taking on the 164km stage and the extremely steep climb up to the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid. Straight from the start, there was quite a battle to be in the day’s breakaway. Eventually, after over 15kms, seven men gathered together at the front: De Bondt (JAY), Van den Heede (SOQ), Fretin (COF), Boulahoitte (TEN), Ibanez (CJR), Iacomoni (TUK) and Lozano (TSG). At the first Intermediate Active sprint (km 23) won by Lozano ahead of De Bondt and Van den Heede, the gap had reached 1’45”.
SEVEN MEN IN THE BREAKAWAY
While teams Bahrain Victorious and Tudor moved to the front of the pack and started chasing, the gap stabilized at around 2’45”. At km 88 drama struck as the third man overall Sergio Higuita and his XDS Astana team mate Fedorov hit the deck. Thankfully they were able to get up and resume with racing. The second intermediate sprint (km 96) was then won by Iacomoni ahead of De Bondt and Lozano while the pack remained at 2’45”. The gap then grew to a maximum 3’10” at km 130 before dropping down to 2’10” with 20kms to go. Five kilometres later, Fretin and Boulahoite were the first of the escapees to be dropped while the front five could still count on a 55” advantage. On the first part of the uphill portion the sprinters including Jonathan Milan failed to follow. Only two riders remained in the lead: Iacomoni and Lozano while overall race leader Yanis Voisard (Tudor) was the first of the big guns to be dropped. The escapees were finally reeled in at km 154.
HIGUITA FIRST TO ATTACK
Clearly not troubled by his earlier crash, Sergio Higuita managed to power away on the steepest portions of the climb. The Colombian made it clear to the top of the ascent alongside Vansevenant and Munton. The precious bonus sprint (km 155) was then claimed by Vansevenant ahead of Higuita and Munton while Christen and Castellon (CJR) were only 10” behind and a group of three with Vermaerke (UAE), O’Brien (Lidl-Trek) and Koerdt (Picnic Post.nl) remained at 20”. Once on the flatter roads towards the finish, five riders gathered together at the front. Jan Christen waited until the final four kilometres to take off on his own and saw his lead grow gradually. He eventually made it clear to the line, winning the stage with an 11’’ advantage over Munton and 32” over team mate Arrieta.
CHRISTEN, FROM CRASH TO GLORY
The Swiss rider not only wins his first stage in Saudi Arabia, he also conquers the final GC of this Al Ula Tour, beating Higuita by 15” and Arrieta by 21” while former leader Voisard finishes 6th overall. With his first ever stage race success and despite crashing twice on day 1, the 21-year-old from Leuggern now has a total of seven professional wins. He also finishes best young rider of the event (White Jersey). Thanks to his two stage victories, Jonathan Milan wins the points classification while UAE Emirates XRG finishes best team and Zhe Yie Kee (Terengganu) is the Most Active rider of the race.
