UAE Tour Stage 4: Jonathan Milan Blasts to Dominant Sprint Victory, Younger Brother Matteo Secures Historic Podium

UAE - Ekhbary News Agency

UAE Tour Stage 4: Jonathan Milan Blasts to Dominant Sprint Victory, Younger Brother Matteo Secures Historic Podium

Fujairah, UAE – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) showcased his formidable sprinting prowess on Thursday, claiming a commanding victory in Stage 4 of the UAE Tour. The Italian powerhouse powered across the finish line in Fujairah to secure his third win of the 2026 season, but the day held an even more remarkable story: his younger brother, Matteo Milan (Groupama-FDJ United), secured his maiden WorldTour podium finish in third place, making it a truly memorable family affair. Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling) rounded out the top three, finishing a strong second.

The 182-kilometer stage, a welcome return to flatter terrain after earlier time trials and mountaintop finishes, was marked by a determined five-rider breakaway that held the peloton at bay for much of the day. Comprising Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost), Stefan de Bod (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar), Patrick Gamper (Jayco AlUla), and James Knox (Picnic PostNL), this quintet launched their audacious bid early, establishing a lead that hovered around two to three minutes for several hours.

Despite the peloton's concerted efforts, led primarily by Lidl-Trek in support of their star sprinter Milan, and race leaders Bahrain Victorious, the gap proved stubbornly resilient. With Steinhauser being a general classification threat, the main bunch was cautious not to allow the escapees too much latitude. As the race entered its final 60 kilometers, the intensity of the chase began to mount. More teams, including Uno-X Mobility and Ineos Grenadiers, joined the fray, sensing the opportunity for a bunch sprint.

The breakaway, however, demonstrated immense grit. James Knox was the first to succumb to the relentless pace, dropping off with approximately 30 kilometers remaining. The remaining quartet continued to push, their hopes of a stunning upset flickering with every kilometer. A crash in the main bunch, involving notable riders like Fabio Jakobsen (Picnic PostNL), Ethan Hayter (Soudal-QuickStep), Daan Hoole, and Robbe Ghys (both Decathlon CMA CGM), momentarily disrupted the chase, with Ghys unfortunately forced to abandon the race. This incident underscored the high stakes and inherent risks of WorldTour racing.

As the final 25 kilometers approached, the peloton's collective will finally began to truly eat into the break's advantage, shrinking a two-minute lead to just one. Even with 10 kilometers left, the four leaders maintained a slender 25-second buffer, a testament to their valiant effort. Yet, the organized sprint trains were now fully forming, their collective power undeniable. Visma-Lease a Bike, among others, swarmed the front in the frantic battle for optimal positioning on the wide roads leading into Fujairah.

The drama reached its peak in the final kilometer. The breakaway, still holding a minuscule lead, momentarily dared to dream of victory. However, as the sprint trains unleashed their full force, the four brave escapees were engulfed with ruthless efficiency. Stefan de Bod made one last desperate lunge, but it was futile; the break was caught a mere 300 meters from the finish line, setting up a chaotic, yet thrilling, man-on-man sprint.

Jonathan Milan, renowned for his raw power and distinct sprinting style, navigated the "washing machine effect" of the final straight with precision. He launched his decisive move, leaving his rivals in his wake. "I have to say the truth: yes," Milan admitted when asked if he doubted the peloton would catch the break. "We knew that this breakaway was really strong, we were always keeping them at two, three minutes during the race. I have to say that my guys were really strong to keep them under control, they did really big work, I have to thank them as always." He further praised his team: "It's tough to stay all together, but my team was there, they did a really fantastic job, always keeping me in the first position, and they delivered me in a good way, so I just had to sprint, and I'm really happy with my performance."

The emotional highlight, however, was the sight of two Milan brothers on the WorldTour podium. Jonathan expressed immense pride for Matteo's achievement. "I'm really happy also for him," Jonathan stated. "I knew that he could do really good. Just after the finish line he told me 'Hey, I finished third,' so I'm even more happy. I'm glad that he didn't beat me today, but maybe one day he will be there. I'm happy for my victory and for his first top three in a WorldTour race. That means a lot for him and for his team." This moment underscored a burgeoning talent in Matteo and the strength of family ties in professional sport.

With no significant changes in the general classification following the bunch sprint, Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), the Stage 3 winner, will continue to wear the red jersey heading into Friday's Stage 5, another flat stage expected to favor the fast men. Milan's victory not only solidifies his position as one of the premier sprinters in the peloton but also adds another layer of excitement to the UAE Tour, promising more thrilling finishes in the days to come.

Ekhbary News Agency