The penultimate stage of the 2025 UAE Tour delivered an electrifying sprint finish, with Belgian rider Tim Merlier of Soudal-QuickStep claiming his second consecutive stage victory. The 167 km route from the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club to Abu Dhabi Breakwater was tailor-made for the peloton’s top sprinters, and Merlier proved once again that he is among the fastest men on two wheels.
Merlier outpaced his rivals in a fierce final sprint, edging out Jasper Philipsen and Jonathan Milan, who finished second and third, respectively. This victory adds to Merlier’s Stage 5 triumph, solidifying his dominance in the sprint stages of this year’s tour.
Despite the sprinters’ battle, the general classification remains unchanged, with Tadej Pogačar continuing to wear the leader’s red jersey. The UAE Team Emirates rider has demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the race and is well-positioned to secure the overall victory as the race heads into its final stage.
Stage 6 saw the riders tackle a flat, high-speed course well-suited for an intense sprint showdown. Teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck, Bahrain Victorious, and Soudal-QuickStep worked tirelessly to position their sprinters in the final kilometers. In the end, it was Merlier’s explosive finishing power that sealed the win, further cementing his reputation as one of the top sprinters in the professional peloton.
As the 2025 UAE Tour nears its conclusion, all eyes now turn to the final stage, where Pogačar will aim to defend his lead and claim yet another prestigious title in his growing list of achievements. Meanwhile, Merlier and his fellow sprinters will have one last opportunity to leave their mark on the race.
