UAE Team Emirates-XRG Dominates Tour of Britain with Stage Win and Overall Title
FAIZAN HASHMI | PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 07, 2026 | 01:15 PM
EDINBURGH (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 07th Sep, 2026) – Belgian rider Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates-XRG clinched the overall title of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain after securing a successful defence of the green jersey on stage 5, the final stage held in the Scottish Borders.
The Emirati squad celebrated an extraordinary team performance on the final day, breaking away from the peloton in the crosswinds and dominating with five riders in a front group of eight. Their decisive attack came more than 80 kilometres from the finish, atop Duddy Bank, a 1.9-kilometre climb at 5.5 percent. Wellens, Nils Politt, Mikkel Bjerg, Florian Vermeersch, and Benoît Cosnefroy left their rivals behind on this challenging climb, showcasing an impressive team effort.
This victory marked Wellens’ second win of the season and his first general classification success since the 2024 Renewi Tour. It’s the 10th GC win of his career and his 43rd professional triumph.
Wellens seized overall leadership during stage 4 on Saturday, delivering a powerful performance that earned him the green jersey. He successfully defended it on the final stage.
Stage 5, raced within the Scottish Borders from Earlston to Earlston, featured four riders in a breakaway, including Ben Wiggins of Team Great Britain. Their lead peaked at two-and-a-half minutes before Fix All Quick-Step, Decathlon CMA CGM, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG worked together to control the peloton.
The day’s main challenges included Redstone Rigg, Duddy Bank, and Hardens Hill. Wellens, wearing the green jersey, received support from his teammates as they navigated these climbs while protecting their leader from any potential attacks.
Under pressure from Netcompany-INEOS, the race fractured in the crosswinds. Team GB initiated the breakaway but UAE Team Emirates-XRG quickly took control, with five of their riders – Filippo Ganna of Netcompany-INEOS included – breaking away. Their lead grew to over a minute as they approached the final 10 kilometres.
Politt seized his opportunity, launching an attack from the front and ultimately winning stage 5, securing UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 70th victory of the season.
