Lidl-Trek’s Milan and Giulio Ciccone react to successful UAE Tour: "It was pretty close between me and Merlier"

Lidl-Trek was one of the standout teams in the peloton during 2024, and if their performance at the UAE Tour is anything to go by, they’ve carried that momentum straight into 2025.

At one of the season’s first major stage race, Jonathan Milan once again showed his top form by winning the green jersey as the top sprinter. The Italian sprinter secured victories on both Stage 1 and Stage 4, making a perfect statement ahead of his Tour de France debut later this year. With two previous points classification titles at the Giro d'Italia already to his name, Milan’s early season form suggests he’s ready to take on the biggest challenge of his career.

However, Lidl-Trek's success in the UAE Tour wasn’t just about Milan. Giulio Ciccone delivered an outstanding performance in the general classification, finishing second overall, only behind the seemingly untouchable Tadej Pogacar. The Italian climber, who claimed the mountains classification at the 2023 Tour de France, underlined his all-round capabilities by securing second place on the final stage, crossing the line only behind the Slovenian superstar.

Crucially, Lidl-Trek played their tactics to perfection. When crosswinds wreaked havoc in the peloton, Ciccone found himself in the first, expertly positioned by his teammates who played an important role all week.

Meanwhile, Milan had jumped into an early breakaway to secure maximum points at the first intermediate sprint. Once the lead group reeled them in, the green jersey slotted seamlessly into the bunch, riding alongside Ciccone to ensure the team maximised its presence at the front.

Reflecting on his runner-up finish, Ciccone was full of praise for his team in a press release.

“Second place is not a victory but I’m quite happy. Today was a crazy stage, so I can be happy with a second place behind Pogi. I’m happy with my shape, my condition and also about the team because they did a super great job. In general, I’m really happy.

“I think this (the echelons) was the hardest part of the stage for me. In this moment it’s hard to be in the right place, but I think my teammates did something really special for me today and I need to say thanks to them. I finished on the podium in GC, which is always something good. I’m proud and I think it’s the best way to start the new season and let’s continue like this.”

Milan, reflecting on his role in both his own and the team’s success, emphasised the importance of teamwork.

“For us it was important to bring Ciccone in the best spot possible to get through the echelons, and also to bring home this (Green) Jersey. It was pretty close between me and Merlier on the points so I prefer to go in the break and take the first points. When the first group chased us I just kept working with my guys and in the end we always supported Ciccone and he delivered a perfect and beautiful result today.

“We came here to win as much as we could, and to win this Green Jersey. We achieved a lot in this UAE Tour and we are really happy about it. We will also learn a lot about this UAE Tour and it’s always important to watch the mistakes we make and learn from this.”

With both a dominant sprinter in Milan and a GC contender in Ciccone already firing on all cylinders, Lidl-Trek has laid down an early marker for the 2025 season after what was such a brilliant year in 2024. If their UAE Tour performances are anything to go by, they’ll be a team to watch in the months ahead, and Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay, and Tim Merlier have a serious problem in the form of Milan.