How do you beat Tadej Pogacar? That was the question on every GC contender’s mind heading into the UAE Tour. By the time Sunday’s final stage concluded, the answer was clear: you don’t. The Slovenian dominated the climb to Jebel Hafeet with effortless superiority, solidifying his victory in commanding fashion. While Giulio Ciccone and Pello Bilbao finished behind him, standing on the podium alongside Pogacar felt like a small victory in itself.
Ciccone, who ended 2024 with a third-place finish behind Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel at the Tour of Lombardy, carried that momentum into his first race of 2025. The 30-year-old Lidl-Trek rider impressed with a strong time trial on day two, a fifth-place finish on Jebel Jais, and a second-place ride behind Pogacar on Jebel Hafeet. His consistency secured him a podium finish in the GC. “Second place doesn’t feel like a win, but I’m happy with it,” Ciccone admitted. “Standing behind Pogacar is no small feat, and this is a great way to start the year.”
Bilbao, who secured third overall for Bahrain Victorious, acknowledged Pogacar’s dominance but took pride in his own performance. “Tadej is used to winning, but for me, sharing the podium with him is special,” he said. “The competition was tougher than in previous years, but we used our experience to secure the best possible result.”
During the final stage, Bilbao remained patient as Pogacar launched his attack alongside Ciccone and Oscar Onley. Instead of panicking, he bided his time before making a decisive move to clinch third. “I’ve made the mistake of going too early before, but this time I waited. It worked out perfectly,” he reflected. With his sights now set on Strade Bianche, Bilbao is eager for his next challenge.
As for Pogacar, he seemed unfazed by his latest triumph. “It was a great training day,” he joked in his post-race interview. “With the echelons, we created some chaos, but it all worked out. I didn’t expect the group to cooperate, but we made it to the finish line.”
With 8 kilometers to go, Pogacar launched a solo attack, dropping the remaining contenders. “My teammates worked hard, but once they were spent, I had to take over. I didn’t want any surprises, so I pushed to the top on my own,” he explained. Despite a strong headwind, he came close to breaking Adam Yates’ record on the climb but eased up in the final kilometer.
While Pogacar’s dominance in the UAE Tour was expected, the real question is whether he will maintain this form for the rest of the season. “We’ll see,” he said with a smile. “I won’t do any more stage races until the Dauphiné—I’m focusing on one-day races for now. Hopefully, the legs stay strong.”
Pogacar’s next appearance will be at Strade Bianche on March 8, where fans will once again see if anyone can challenge his supremacy.
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