Abu Dhabi: UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Sebastian Molano secured the most significant one-day victory of his career in Belgium, winning in a photo finish against Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) at the end of the 195.6-kilometre Classic Brugge-De Panne. The Emirati team was active throughout the race, with Antonio Morgado joining the early breakaway, which remained ahead until the final 10 kilometers.
According to Emirates News Agency, crashes significantly impacted the race's final segment, with many sprinting favorites falling during the chaotic run-in. Molano was among the survivors and capitalized on his position by launching an early sprint 500 meters from the finish line, securing his first win of the year. Molano expressed his happiness with the victory, acknowledging the fast and dangerous nature of the final stage and describing it as his most significant one-day race win.
Simultaneously, at the Volta a Catalunya, UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Juan Ayuso achieved his fifth victory of the season following a thrilling sprint duel with Primo€¦¾ Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at the summit finish at La Molina on stage 3. The competitors crossed the finish line shoulder-to-shoulder, with Ayuso ultimately awarded the win. As a result, Ayuso now holds the leader's jersey heading into stage 4.