Jonathan Milan took opening stage honours at the UAE Tour while Tour de France champion and hot favourite Tadej Pogacar was bang in contention in what was his season debut.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, making his first appearance in the race since retaining the title in 2022, launched a sprint 350 metres from the finish only to run out of steam close to home leaving him to settle for 10th place.
Milan, of Lidl-Trek, prevailed in a chaotic scramble for the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen, however the Belgian was demoted to 52nd for hampering Finn Fisher-Black.
The New Zealander inherited second place, with Denmark's Tobias Lund Andresen third.
“I feel brutally tired after this sprint. The warmth and the last 700 metres of the race have made it really tough, more than I was thinking,” said Milan, after claiming victory in 138-kilometre route from Shams Solar Power Station Madinat Zayed to Liwa in Abu Dhabi.
“I must thank my guys. They controlled, supported me, and led me to the final stretch. I’m super happy with this victory, it was so hard.”
There was a blow for UAE Team Emirates-XRG when sprint hope Juan Sebastian Molano clipped the wheel of Pogacar while taking a drink and was sent flying off the road on to some rocks.
The Colombian escaped with superficial lacerations and bruises over his back, arm and ankle but was to undergo further checks at hospital to determine if there are any further injuries.
Despite falling short with his attack for the line, Pogacar showed enough quality to suggest he will be the man to beat come Sunday's time-trial conclusion.
Tuesday's Stage 2 consists of a 12.2km time trial around Al Hudayriyat Island.
Stage 1 results:
1. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) 3 hrs 31 min 34 sec
2. Finn Fisher-Black (RedBull – Bora – Hansgrohe) same time
3. Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL) same time.
General Classification:
1. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) 3 hrs 31 min 24 sec
2. Finn Fisher-Black (RedBull – Bora – Hansgrohe) + four seconds
3. Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL) + six seconds
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
RESULTS
ATP China Open
G Dimitrov (BUL x3) bt R Bautista Agut (ESP x5)
7-6, 4-6, 6-2
R Nadal (ESP x1) bt J Isner (USA x6)
6-4, 7-6
WTA China Open
S Halep (ROU x2) bt D Kasatkina (RUS)
6-2, 6-1
J Ostapenko (LAT x9) bt S Cirstea (ROU)
6-4, 6-4
ATP Japan Open
D Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt S Johnson (USA)
6-0, 7-5
D Goffin (BEL x4) bt R Gasquet (FRA)
7-5, 6-2
M Cilic (CRO x1) bt R Harrison (USA)
6-2, 6-0
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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