UAE Team Emirates-XRG shifts focus as CRO Race turns mountainous
After two sprint-dominated stages, the CRO Race has dramatically changed character — and with it, the general classification. Tobias Svarre of Uno-X Mobility now leads the race after Stage 3 on September 24, 2026, overtaking Colombian sprinter Juan Sebastián Molano, who had worn the red jersey since winning Stage 1.
Molano began the race with authority: a powerful win on the 167km Stage 1 from Split to Seget Donji, followed by a third-place finish on Stage 2 in Novalja. His success hinged on precise team support — particularly Rui Oliveira’s lead-out and Nils Politt’s work chasing breakaways — and flat finishes that suited his explosive sprint. Even without a stage win on Day 2, his podium finish kept him atop the standings.
But Stage 3, a grueling route through Croatia’s inland hills, exposed the limits of a pure sprinter’s GC bid. Molano lost 23 seconds on the day as the peloton fractured on sustained climbs. Svarre, a strong climber, finished 12th — 20 seconds behind stage winner Nicolas Gojković — but gained critical time on his rivals.
Tim Wellens, UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s GC contender, now sits third overall, just 8 seconds behind Svarre. The team has quietly reallocated its resources, shifting focus from Molano’s sprint bids to protecting Wellens’ position. Support riders are now targeting climbs rather than flat finishes.
The CRO Race, a six-stage event held across Croatia, has evolved from a sprinters’ battle into a general classification fight. Stage 1 and 2, while hilly, flattened at the end — perfect for fast finishes. Stage 3 changed everything: four climbs over 8% gradient in the final 40km turned the race upside down.
For viewers in the UAE, the shift highlights how quickly international stage races can redefine strategy. Molano’s two podiums were not enough to hold the leader’s jersey; a single mountain stage rewrote the standings. With two stages remaining — including a summit finish — the red jersey is now likely to be decided by endurance, not speed.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG has not withdrawn from contention. Instead, it has pivoted: Molano remains a weapon for stage wins, but Wellens is now the team’s sole hope for overall victory. The team confirmed it will prioritize GC over sprint points for the remainder of the race.
No rider has yet sealed the title — but the race is no longer about who crosses the line first on flat roads. It’s about who can climb the hardest.
