The 5th stage of the UAE Tour 2025 had the next bunch sprint to offer. This time Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) through. The Belgian won after 160 kilometres through Dubai. Second place went to Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana Team). Jonathan Milan (Lidl - Trek), who had won the two previous sprint finishes, had to settle for third place this time.
Previously, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) caused a stir with an unconventional move. The Slovenian was part of a breakaway group that was caught by the peloton. There were several crashes in the final stage. In the end, Merlier narrowly won the bunch sprint.
UAE Tour 2025: Results of the 5th stage
Stage 5: American University Dubai - Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
UAE Tour 2025: Stage 5, American University Dubai - Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soudal Quick-Step | 03:16:55 |
| 2 | XDS Astana Team | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | Lidl - Trek | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Israel - Premier Tech | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | Tudor Pro Cycling Team | +00:00:00 |
How the 5th stage of the UAE Tour went
After the start, a breakaway group with the usual suspects broke away: Kristian Sbaragli, Đorđe Đurić, Carlos Samudio (all three Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini), Federico Biagini and Manuele Tarozzi (both VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè). Around 150 kilometres from the finish, a counter attack formed around Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and his team-mate Domen Novak. They were joined by Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto), Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers), Kobe Gossens (Intermarché - Wanty) and Roberto Carlos González (Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini). The chasing group needed around ten kilometres to catch up with the original breakaway group. The eleven men at the front were able to pull out a maximum lead of two and a half minutes over the peloton. There it was up to the sprinter teams to organise the chase.
The group around Pogačar remained at the front of the race until 39 kilometres before the finish, when the ride was over for the world champion and his companions. What followed was the usual scenario for such a flat stage - the sprinters controlled the action.
Things got hectic in the final. Shortly before the three-kilometre mark, there was a crash involving Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), among others. There was another crash on the home straight in around 20th position in the peloton. Luka Mezgec (Team Jayco AlUla) took advantage of the situation and pulled away slightly.
The sprinters only flew past him in the final metres. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) had the fastest legs this time, while Jonathan Milan (Lidl - Trek) had to settle for third place. The only downer for Merlier: he crashed shortly after crossing the finish line, but escaped without any major injuries.
