Favorites stage 3 UAE Tour 2025 | Finish on Jebel Jais: the first uphill encounter, right up Pogacar's alley
Cycling
Tuesday’s time trial served as the first showdown among the general classification riders, and the third stage immediately presents itself as the next test. Jebel Jais has been a constant feature in the course for years, although the 19-kilometer climb has seldom caused a definitive shake-up. Tadej Pogacar expects a sprint among the climbers, and whenever that is the case, the Slovenian often comes out on top. IDLProCycling.com looks ahead.
Course stage 3 UAE Tour 2025
The third stage of the UAE Tour marks the first uphill finish. However, the majority of the day will pass without any significant obstacles. The ride starts in Ras al Khaimah and covers over 170 flat kilometers to the foot of Jebel Jais. From there, the 19-kilometer climb awaits, with an average gradient of 5.6%. Not particularly steep, which means many strong climbers can handle this ascent. Only a late attack might prevent a sprint — a sprint, that is, among the best climbers.
And that is exactly what happened during the last two editions. In 2023, Einer Rubio attacked early and managed to maintain that effort to the finish. Last year, rocket installation Decathlon-AG2R’s Ben O'Connor launched himself to victory. In 2022, it was Pogacar who won the sprint ahead of then-rival Adam Yates and Aleksandr Vlasov.
Times
Start: 03:05 AM EST
Finish: 07:30 AM EST
Weather stage 3 UAE Tour 2025
On Wednesday, the sun awaits the riders. It will be about 24 degrees Celsius, there will be few clouds in the sky, and there will also be a moderate breeze from the west. What does the wind direction mean for the climb? Well, it means that the surrounding mountains will at times provide shelter. However, the many hairpin turns cause some sections to have a strong tailwind, while others have a significant headwind.
Favorites stage 3 UAE Tour 2025
The big favorite for tomorrow is undoubtedly Tadej Pogacar. Wherever the Slovenian starts, and especially when it comes to climbs, he is always the major favorite. In addition to this, the climb suits him perfectly, and he has a strong team that can optimally support him. A late attacker is the only thing that seems to stand between Pogacar and the stage win. In a sprint, no one can beat the Slovenian.
Another climber with a good finishing kick is Giulio Ciccone. We should definitely keep an eye on the Italian. But even defending champion Lennert van Eetvelt just might slip away. And good luck to anyone who dares to let guys like Oscar Onley and Pello Bilbao take a lead.
Text continues below photo.
It also remains to be seen what general classification leader Joshua Tarling can do on a climb like this. Since Jebel Jais is not particularly steep, the young Brit might be able to surprise. Also, keep an eye on Pablo Castrillo. The Movistar rider put in a strong time trial performance and has proven in the Vuelta a España that he can win stages. In addition, Finn Fisher-Black is also in top form and already finished second in the first stage — speaking of a good sprint!
Finally, Carlos Rodriguez and Felix Gall are also in the mix. However, the Spaniard is not known for explosive finishes, while the Austrian hasn’t managed to win in a while. Still, it is clear that they are both excellent climbers. And who knows, Einer Rubio might pull a rabbit out of the hat again, just like he did two years ago.
Favorites stage 3 UAE Tour 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com
Top favorites: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Outsiders: Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain), Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) Finn Fisher-Black (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Longshots: Joshua Tarling (INEOS), Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS), Felix Gall (Decathlon), Einer Rubio (Movistar), Harold Tejada (Astana) and Thomas Gloag (Visma l Lease a Bike)
IDL-productions
Course and results of Tour of the Algarve 2025 | UAE dominates the queen stage, Friday another one for the sprinters
Vingegaard remains silent on Alto de Foia, super domestique Kuss speaks out: "I didn’t have the legs"
Favorites stage 3 Tour of the Algarve 2025 | Last year Van Aert won — who will celebrate in Tavira this time?
Favorites stage 5 UAE Tour 2025 | The big names again, but watch out for Visma | Lease a Bike
Arensman finally makes decision on grand tour participation for 2025: I've learned a lot from Geraint Thomas
Latest Cycling News
Course and results of Ruta Del Sol 2025 | Van Gils loses leader's jersey after coup by UAE, Sivakov and Pidcock
Course and results of Tour of the Algarve 2025 | UAE dominates the queen stage, Friday another one for the sprinters
Visma | Lease a Bike sees Tulett’s decision backfire for Vingegaard: "He’ll be thanked for that later"
Vingegaard remains silent on Alto de Foia, super domestique Kuss speaks out: "I didn’t have the legs"
Favorites stage 3 Tour of the Algarve 2025 | Last year Van Aert won — who will celebrate in Tavira this time?
Popular Cycling News
Vingegaard proposes 2 potential co-leaders from his team as possible Tour tactics against Pogacar
"Laughable," concludes Wout van Aert amid the chaos: "This just should not happen!"
Visma | Lease a Bike team manager lashes out at the UCI: "Very sad, a disgrace for the sport"
Not the organization, but his own lead-out is to blame, according to De Lie: "He must have never seen a cycling race"
'Winner' Ganna won't say anything, but others are furious after fiasco in Tour of the Algarve: 'It's ridiculous, really a joke'
Latest Comments
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024