Swiss cyclist secured the final green jersey with an epic fifth-stage attack to conclude the inaugural UCI ProSeries event in style
UAE Team Emirates earned team title in sixth edition of AlUla Tour
AlUla’s iconic landmarks were on full display throughout the 800km race
AlUla : Jan Christen led UAE Team Emirates to a dramatic victory in the 2026 AlUla Tour after five days of elite racing that showcased the region’s spectacular landscape and justified the event’s promotion to the UCI ProSeries.
In its sixth edition, the illustrious road race welcomed 116 elite cyclists and 17 teams, including top-tier UCI WorldTour outfits such as Team Jayco AlUla in their home race plus the Saudi National Team. In recognition of the AlUla Tour’s recent success, it has been upgraded to a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) ProSeries stage race, internationally known as the UCI ProSeries AlUla.
Taking place from 27 to 31 January, cyclists from around the world tackled the five-stage, 789.4km course, which took the peloton through globally recognised locations throughout the remarkable region of AlUla.
At the conclusion of five days of riveting racing, 21-year-old Christen took the final general classification Green Jersey and the top step on the podium with an overall time of 17:23:43. The Swiss star finished just 13 seconds clear of runner-up Sergio Higuita of XDS Astana Team, a time differential largely made possible by Christen’s epic attack on the fifth and final stage.
UAE Team Emirates completed the podium with Igor Arrieta in third, 21 seconds behind his champion teammate. As such, the UAE-based team sealed the Team Classification.
The Red Jersey, awarded to the general points classification winner, was awarded to Italian Jonathan Milan of Lidl–Trek, who won the first two stages. The Orange Jersey for most active rider went to Malaysia’s Zhe Yie Kee of Terengganu Cycling Team, while Christen also took the White Jersey for leading young rider.
Similar to previous editions, the 2026 race once again highlighted the spectacular landmarks of AlUla, both natural and man-made. Stage 1 began and ended at the iconic AlUla Camel Cup Track, while the historic AlManshiyah Railway Station hosted the start and finish for Stage 2 as the peloton raced past the world-famous Hegra – Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stage 3, beginning at Winter Park, took in more sights before culminating atop Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah, where the riders were treated to sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. Winter Park also hosted the start of the fourth stage, which concluded in front of Hegra, before the fifth and final stage began in Old Town and reached its stunning finale at Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid – one of the most remarkable viewpoints anywhere in the world.
In addition to the professional cycling competitions, the AlUla Tour featured mass participation rides for junior cyclists and the public to further promote cycling as a healthy and accessible sport. These initiatives reflect the Royal Commission for AlUla’s broader efforts to establish AlUla as a hub for cycling, including the development of dedicated bike tracks and eco-friendly cycling experiences.
Ziad Alsuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “We have witnessed another high-quality edition of the AlUla Tour. The standard of racing reflects the event’s promotion to the UCI ProSeries and underlines AlUla’s growing capability to deliver world-class cycling and international sports events. From elite competition to community participation, the AlUla Tour demonstrates the strength of our sporting ecosystem and our long-term commitment to developing cycling at every level.”
Philip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Once again, the AlUla Tour showcased not only top-tier cycling, but the unique character of AlUla, where sport, landscape, and heritage come together. Cycling continues to play a central role in our wider vision to establish AlUla as a place for outdoor sport tourism and for introducing AlUla to new international audiences globally.”
The AlUla Tour is a firm fixture in the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar, a year-round programme celebrating AlUla as a destination for sport, culture, and heritage. Other upcoming sports events on the calendar include AlFursan Endurance AlUla (7-8 Feb 2026) – one of the most prestigious events in endurance horse racing.
