UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Sebastian Molano achieved the biggest one-day victory of his career in Belgium, clinching a dramatic photo finish at the 195.6-kilometre Classic Brugge-De Panne. Molano narrowly defeated Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek in a thrilling sprint to the line, marking his first victory of the season.
Throughout the race, UAE Team Emirates-XRG remained active, with Antonio Morgado joining the early breakaway and testing his legs ahead of the upcoming cobbled classics. The breakaway group held strong until just under 10km to go.
As the race entered its final stretch, crashes played a pivotal role, with several of the sprinting favorites hitting the tarmac during the hectic run-in. Molano emerged as one of the few survivors and took full advantage of his opportunity with a massive sprint at 500m to go, holding off Milan to secure a memorable victory.
Molano shared his joy after the race, acknowledging the difficulty of the final stage, which was fast and dangerous. “This is my first win of the year and the biggest one-day victory I have ever achieved,” he said.
Ayuso Claims Fifth Win of the Season at Volta a Catalunya
Meanwhile, at the Volta a Catalunya, UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Juan Ayuso continued his impressive form, securing his fifth victory of the season. Ayuso triumphed in a thrilling sprint duel against Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at the summit finish of La Molina on stage 3.
The two riders crossed the line shoulder-to-shoulder, with Ayuso narrowly edging Roglič for the win. His victory allowed him to take the leader’s jersey ahead of stage 4, marking a significant milestone in his season.
Both Molano’s and Ayuso’s victories highlight UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s strong start to the year, with the team continuing to showcase its competitive edge in top-level races.
