Results AlUla Tour 2026 Stage 5 | Jan Christen overturns GC as he wins solo on Harrat Uwayrid
Cycling
The AlUla Tour was turned on its head on the final climb of the race as Jan Christen attacked on Harrat Uwayrid, won Stage 5 solo and, in the process, overturned the general classification to claim overall victory.
Just four seconds separated race leader Yannis Voisard from Afonso Eulalio at the start of the day, with Sergio Higuita only two seconds further back. On paper, the stage to Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid carried the highest profile score in race history and more than 1100 metres of vertical gain. In reality, it proved even more decisive than expected.
An early break of Dries De Bondt, Milan Fretin, Javier Ibanez, Federico Iacomoni, Lars Vanden Heede, Rayan Boulahoite and Juan Pedro Lozano was never allowed too much freedom. Bahrain Victorious and Tudor Pro Cycling Team set the tempo from distance, and as the race passed Al Manshiyah Train Station, the peloton was already strung out with the gap falling steadily.
By 20 kilometres to go, the break had almost been absorbed, and more teams began to sense opportunity. Team Picnic PostNL appeared on the front as well, with Bjorn Koerdt sitting only 15 seconds down on GC, underlining how finely balanced the race remained before the climb.
The climb where the race exploded
The first savage ramps of Harrat Uwayrid immediately split the race. The peloton was reduced to barely a dozen riders grinding upwards at little more than walking pace on gradients that repeatedly hit double figures and peaked at 25 percent.
Higuita was the first of the GC contenders to make a move. Christen responded. Behind them, Eulalio began to struggle to hold position as the elastic snapped across the group.
Then the yellow jersey cracked.
Voisard lost contact on the steepest section just as UAE Team Emirates increased the pressure at the front through Christen and Igor Arrieta, with Mauri Vansevenant also present. At the intermediate sprint on the climb, Vansevenant took the bonus seconds as gaps were already opening between the main contenders.
From there, Christen did not hesitate. He pressed on alone, distancing the remnants of the front group while, behind him, the general classification battle turned into a fight for survival.
Christen crested the summit solo to take the stage victory, with Byron Munton arriving second, but the real story was unfolding further down the climb as Voisard, Eulalio and Higuita tried to limit their losses.
By the finish, the time gaps were sufficient not only to decide the stage, but to completely overturn the overall standings.
Christen, who had started the day 33 seconds down on GC, left AlUla as the overall winner of the race after the most decisive climb in its history once again determined the outcome.
Read also
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Ok. So just saying he wasn't enjoying racing anymore is some kind of explanation? Me saying I don't enjoy his explanation is more explaining than he did.flyer14-11-2026
- Buitrago, was he their best rider in 2026? He's the chief loss for them and Martinez and Tiberi (especially) have to step up or they will be overtaken by Bahrain's younger riders like Omrzel. I'm still somewhat high on Martinez but Tiberi, after showing signs of promise, has fizzled. Bahrain still has a good team but they need to improve and exceed expectations. I'd be happy if Mohoric could manage to return to his better form for maybe one last year at least.flyer14-11-2026
- Hmmm, "... I just gained 30 seconds purely off the bike. Because it's really a big, big improvement compared to the previous bike". Is that marketing for Specialized or serious valid hype, or something in between? Very likely the former.flyer14-11-2026
- Nothing revelatory or controversial. Why do we have to report on Bruyneel's or Armstrong's thinking. It's a shame and enough that the Move's on TV and that people watch it .flyer14-11-2026
- Makes sense that training from home is a big asset or advantage but it's still remarkable that he can put in three quality majors and not pay some heavy price for the exertion. I wish he would have won that tour stage that his crash while leading allowed Carapaz the win. He's a darn good rider and teammate.flyer14-11-2026
- Sounds like we all agree with the over under exaggeration: "The German’s signing does not guarantee that Evenepoel will win the Tour in 2027. "flyer14-11-2026
- Seixas appears to be that good but if he isn't (an absolute rival to Pogacar) he would have plenty of company in rising stars that did not go on to fully meet the expectations of many. That Pogacar wasn't the greatest (as great) sooner can't be transposed onto another's development. It may be not that simple.flyer14-11-2026
- I agree that, for Evenepoel, the Euro championship is overshadowed by the slightly off Lombardia and Worlds. However, I disagree that "Ciccone also made a serious mistake at the European Championships" because I don't think he had a win in the bag although he could have won with a perfect bike throw. Guesswork about the finish is not evidence by me for some serious mistake. Sometimes you just barely lose - although Ciccone's sourpuss about it persona was serious.flyer14-11-2026
- I bet you photobombed the video since you are his shadow!frieders314-11-2026
- Skipping the 2027 TDF would be fine in my opinion, and if so, it further reveals that him racing it in 2026 was a good decision. Seixas speaks confident, almost cocky, these days (not meant to be a criticism) and I find it a tad humorous that people (rather commentators) continually chide and advise on how Decathlon should direct and manage Seixas when Paul seems to be calling all his shots since well before this year's TDF.flyer14-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment