The 2025 AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, featuring five diverse and challenging stages that highlight the region’s stunning landscapes and ambitious vision for cycling.
The race begins with a flat and fast Stage 1, perfectly suited for sprinters. Our sprint train will focus on delivering Bruttomesso to the front for a strong finish. Stage 2 unveils a new finale at Bir Jaydan Mountain Wirkah, a punchy stage featuring rolling terrain throughout and a decisive 2.9km climb to the finish. The climb averages a gradient of 9.2%, with sections reaching up to 15%. Rainer Kepplinger will lead our effort, with the team working to position him well in a reduced peloton for the final ascent.
Rainer Kepplinger and Alberto Bruttomesso will have the support and experience of Road Captain Andrea Pasqualon and the debutants Žak Eržen, Max Van Der Meulen, and Oliver Stockwell, all of whom are making the step up from the team’s development squad. Joining them is Nicolò Buratti, rounding out a lineup that balances youth and promise with seasoned leadership.
Stage 3 returns to sprinters’ territory, showcasing the ancient beauty of AlUla. Starting at Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stage concludes 180km later at Tayma Fort, making it the longest stage of the race. Stage 4, the Queen Stage, features a gruelling climb to the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid. The ascent begins between 12km and 10km to go, averaging 17% in gradient and peaking at a punishing 22%. The final 10km flatten out, requiring climbers to summon all their remaining strength for a decisive sprint to the finish. This stage is expected to shape the General Classification (GC).
The final stage demands caution, as crosswinds could create dangerous echelons, particularly on the camel racing track where riders will complete two laps. These five stages will crown the “Desert King of AlUla,” and we are optimistic our riders will play a pivotal role in shaping the final GC standings.
New Sports Director Aart Vierhouten shared his thoughts:
“We are approaching the AlUla Tour with great ambitions. Our lineup combines youthful energy with experienced leadership, and everyone is eager to get the season underway. In previous years, this was primarily a sprinters’ race with one climb, but for the 2025 edition, the organisers have introduced another hilly finish. This adjustment provides us with an opportunity to aim for a top-5 GC result with Rainer Kepplinger leading the charge.
For the sprint stages, our road captain Andrea Pasqualon will guide the team and position Alberto Bruttomesso for strong finishes. We’ve been refining our lead-out train during two training camps in Altea, focusing on sprint preparations for the season. Securing a stage win is a key objective for us.”
Our GC leader, Rainer Kepplinger, added:
“I’m really looking forward to racing again. The entire team has worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks at training camp to prepare for the season ahead. We have a young team for this race, and we’re highly motivated to bring plenty of energy to the competition. Of course, we’ll fight to achieve strong results.
Personally, I’m especially excited about Stage 4, with its challenging final climb. I hope all the hard work we’ve put in over the last few weeks will pay off. I’m aiming for a good result, both for myself and for the team, and I’ll make sure we give it everything we’ve got.”