In a thrilling conclusion to the sixth edition of the race, young Swiss cyclist Jan Kristen, star of the UAE XRG Team Emirates, was crowned champion of the 2026 Tour of AlUla, held on Saturday, January 31, in the historic AlUla region. This victory confirms Kristen's rising talent and secures his place in the annals of the race, which has gained a prestigious position on the global cycling map, especially as this was the first edition following the race's official upgrade.
The AlUla Tour, formerly known as the Saudi Tour, represents a turning point in the history of cycling in the Kingdom, especially after its official upgrade to the UCI ProSeries. This upgrade places it second only to the World Tour in global standings, attracting elite international teams and cyclists seeking to score points and compete at the start of the season. The event's prestige is further enhanced by the joint organization between the Saudi Cycling Federation and the ASO, the same organization behind the renowned Tour de France, ensuring the highest organizational and technical standards are met.
Jan Kristsen dominated the overall race, clocking a total time of 17 hours, 23 minutes, and 43 seconds. Colombian Sergio Higuita of XDS Astana finished second, just 15 seconds behind, highlighting the intense competition right up to the final meters. Third place went to Kristsen's UAE XRG teammate, Spaniard Igor Arrieta, 21 seconds behind. In the team standings, UAE XRG secured first place with a total time of 52 hours, 12 minutes, and 8 seconds, ahead of XDS Astana in second and Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling in third.
The excitement wasn't limited to the battle for the green jersey in the general classification; the other categories also witnessed equally fierce competition. Italian speedster Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek claimed the red jersey, awarded to the points classification leader. Jan Kristen confirmed his dominance by winning the white jersey as the best young rider under 25. In a notable move, Malaysian rider Zee Yee Kee of Terengganu Cycle Team earned the orange jersey, given to the most aggressive and dynamic rider throughout the race stages.
The significance of the AlUla Tour extends far beyond its status as a mere sporting event, playing a strategic role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Holding the race in AlUla Governorate, with its breathtaking natural scenery and diverse terrain—a blend of vast deserts, rugged mountains, and UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hegra—represents a unique marketing opportunity, promoting the Kingdom as a global tourism and sports destination. This event, overseen by the Ministry of Sport and supported by the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, is part of a series of major events aimed at solidifying the Kingdom's position on the international stage, attracting investment, and enhancing the quality of life.
