Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has officially opened his 2025 season account, winning Stage 3 of the UAE Tour at Jebel Jais. With a blistering final attack in the closing meters, the reigning World Champion proved once again why he is one of the most dominant riders in the peloton.

After three days of waiting, Pogacar delivered on the first mountain test of the race, surging past Oscar Onley (PostNL) and Felix Gall (AG2R) in the final 600 meters. The victory puts him in the overall leader’s jersey, setting him up as the man to beat for the rest of the race.

A Perfectly Timed Move

Pogacar played the waiting game on the long climb of Jebel Jais, letting his UAE Team Emirates squad control the pace. Jay Vine did the heavy lifting, keeping the tempo high and discouraging early attacks.

When the moment came, Pogacar didn’t hesitate. He launched a devastating acceleration with just over 150 meters to go, instantly gapping his rivals. Onley and Gall tried to respond but simply couldn’t match the Slovenian’s power.

"It's great to finally get a win after three days," Pogacar said after the stage. "The team did a great job, and I felt strong in the final. Now, we focus on defending the lead."

GC Battle Far From Over

While Pogacar now sits in the leader’s jersey, he knows the UAE Tour is not won yet. The final summit finish on Jebel Hafeet will be the ultimate decider.

Despite finishing behind Pogacar, Onley and Gall remain close in the overall standings, and riders like Lennert Van Eetvelt, Giulio Ciccone, and Finn Fisher-Black could still pose a challenge.

But for now, the rainbow jersey reigns supreme in the UAE. Pogacar’s 2025 season has begun in style, and if this is just the start, cycling fans are in for a spectacular year.

UAE Tour Stage 3 Results

• 🥇 Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
• 🥈 Oscar Onley (PostNL) – same time
• 🥉 Felix Gall (AG2R) – same time

What’s Next?

With the overall lead in his hands, Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates now shift to defense mode. The flat desert stages will favor the sprinters, but all eyes are on the final summit showdown on Jebel Hafeet.