Results AlUla Tour 2026 stage 2 | Jonathan Milan doubles up with another dominant sprint win

Jonathan Milan powered to victory on Stage 2 of the AlUla Tour, completing a perfect sprint finish for Lidl-Trek after a day repeatedly shaped, but ultimately not decided, by crosswinds in the Saudi desert.

Having already claimed the opening stage, Milan made it two wins from two by converting a textbook lead-out in the final kilometre, underlining both his form and Lidl-Trek’s growing control of the race.

The stage began with an early five-man breakaway establishing itself soon after the flag dropped, but the move was always allowed limited freedom as teams kept the race on a short leash. The dynamic shifted sharply in the exposed middle section, where crosswinds split the peloton into multiple echelons and briefly threatened to turn the stage into a test of survival rather than speed.

Several sprinters were initially caught out as the pace lifted, and the peloton fractured into smaller groups as teams pressed on. However, the front group eased slightly approaching the final 40 kilometres, allowing the chasing riders to claw their way back and restoring the race to a more complete formation.

A brief counterattack by Stefan de Bod and Mathias Bregnhoj offered late disruption, but Lidl-Trek quickly organised the chase and shut the move down inside the final 20 kilometres. From there, the race moved decisively towards a bunch sprint, the earlier wind-induced chaos having been absorbed.

With the peloton regrouped, Lidl-Trek took command of the run-in. The pace rose sharply, stretching the bunch as teams fought for position on the flat approach to the line. Any remaining GC tension was limited to the bonification sprint, where Jan Christen collected three bonus seconds, but it did nothing to alter the shape of the stage.

Inside the final kilometre, Lidl-Trek’s organisation proved decisive. Simone Consonni delivered a measured and powerful lead-out, positioning Milan perfectly at the front of the peloton. Milan launched his sprint with around 300 metres to go and immediately opened daylight, holding off the challenge of Matteo Malucelli to secure a clear and authoritative victory.

The win marked Milan’s 27th professional victory and confirmed his status as the dominant sprinter of the opening stages. After a day that repeatedly flirted with upheaval but ultimately rewarded control and timing, Stage 2 ended exactly where it began, with Lidl-Trek and Jonathan Milan firmly in charge of the AlUla Tour.