Results AlUla Tour 2025 | Merlier and Pidcock take two each, but Q36.5 celebrates the most in the desert

From Oceania to Europe to Saudi Arabia—that sums up the start of the 2025 men’s elite cycling season. After the Tour Down Under and several races in Valencia, the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia was next on the calendar. IDLProCycling.com followed the five-day event closely.

The AlUla Tour was first introduced in 2020 as the Saudi Tour, though it was already exclusively raced in the historic desert region. Back then, Phil Bauhaus claimed overall victory in a stage race primarily suited to sprinters. However, the following year, the race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event returned in 2022 with a new summit finish on the Harrat Uwayrid plateau, favoring climbers. Maxim Van Gils took the overall win, followed by Ruben Guerreiro in 2023. In 2024, Simon Yates secured a major victory for Jayco AlUla—fittingly named—by narrowly edging out William Junior Lecerf and Finn Fisher-Black.

Most recent winners AlUla Tour

2024 Simon Yates
2023 Ruben Guerreiro
2022 Maxim Van Gils
2021 Cancelled
2020 Phil Bauhaus

Course, favorites stage wins and times - AlUla Tour 2025

Stage 1, Tuesday, January 28, 2025: Al Manshiyah Train Station - Al Manshiyah Train Station (142.7 km)

The flat opening stage was the perfect opportunity for sprinters to kick off their accounts. With a strong field of contenders, an exciting finale was expected—but Tim Merlier simply proved too fast for the competition. The Belgian rider from Soudal Quick-Step outpaced Juan Sebastián Molano and Maikel Zijlaard to claim victory, making him the first leader of the AlUla Tour.

Winner
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Stage 2, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025: AlUla - Mountain Wirkah (157.7 km)

Stage two introduced a brand-new finish in the AlUla Tour: Mountain Wikrah. After setting off from AlUla, the riders arrived at a circuit after just over seventy kilometers, with this decisive climb at its core. At 2.8 kilometers long and with an average gradient of 9.4%, it was tailor-made for the punchers who had made the trip to Saudi Arabia. Tom Pidcock capitalized on the opportunity, securing victory in a stage that was shortened and neutralized late in the race.

Winner
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)

Stage 3, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025: Hegra - Tayma Fort (180.6 km)

The third stage was another one for the sprinters, but what seemed like a straightforward challenge turned into a battle against the wind. Echelons shattered the peloton and ramped up the pace. In the final sprint, Tim Merlier once again proved dominant, launching from the front and holding off Dylan Groenewegen. However, the finish was marred by a nasty crash that saw Nils Eekhoff taken to the hospital.

Winner
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Stage 4, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025: Maraya - Harrat Uwayrid (140.9 km)

The former queen stage of the AlUla Tour may have been overshadowed by Mountain Wikrah, but the Harrat Uwayrid Plateau still played a crucial role. This stage became even more decisive after the shortening of stage two. The brutal 2.5-kilometer climb at a 12% average gradient provided another perfect launchpad for Tom Pidcock, who powered to his second stage win of the race.

Winner
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5)

Stage 5, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025: AlUla Camel Cup Track - AlUla Camel Cup Track (169.6 km)

The final stage of the AlUla Tour featured a start and finish at the AlUla Camel Cup Track. With a short climb and descent leading into the finale, it was the same finish where Tim Merlier had triumphed last year. But this time, after a thrilling echelon-heavy race, it was Matteo Moschetti who delivered the win for Q36.5. The team had an outstanding race overall, with Tom Pidcock securing both two stage wins and the general classification title.

Winner
Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

Final general classification AlUla Tour 2025

Tom Pidcock won the 2025 AlUla Tour, securing the first overall stage race victory of his career. It was an impressive debut for Q36.5, which signed him from INEOS Grenadiers over the winter.

Pidcock also claimed the points classification, while Johannes Kulset of Uno-X took home the young rider classification.

Read also

"Even Merlier struggled to control his bike": What did we learn from Pidcock’s "Mickey Mouse" stage in AlUla?

Pogacar explains how he made enormous progress last year: "It’s really an upgrade for me"

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