Nordhagen impresses with sixth place on Jebel Hafeet in sixth stage of UAE Tour

# Nordhagen Shines with Sixth Place Finish at Jebel Hafeet During UAE Tour Stage Six

In the penultimate stage of the UAE Tour, a grueling 168-kilometer route led the riders to the formidable Jebel Hafeet, an iconic climb that has become a hallmark of the race. The stage unfolded with a mix of flat terrain and a steep ascent that averaged 7.2 percent over ten kilometers, culminating in a dramatic showdown among the peloton.

The early phase of the race saw a breakaway of seven riders take the lead, providing an entertaining dynamic as the pack prepared for the challenging climb ahead. With 20 kilometers remaining, tensions escalated when Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Wilco Kelderman and Ben Tulett were involved in a crash but managed to stay in the race.

As riders approached Jebel Hafeet, the pace intensified markedly. The remaining breakaway was quickly reeled in, causing many in the peloton to fall behind. Just five kilometers from the summit, the competition heated up, with leading riders like Felix Gall and Harold Tejada pushing the pace. Jørgen Nordhagen, displaying his exceptional climbing skills, held strong among the favorites.

Isaac Del Toro of UAE Team Emirates ultimately triumphed, crossing the line first and seizing the overall lead. In a strong performance, Nordhagen finished in sixth place, just 36 seconds behind Del Toro.

Reflecting on his experience, Nordhagen said, “I couldn’t respond to Del Toro’s accelerations, so I decided to ride at my own pace. In the end, that proved to be the right decision to finish in the top ten again.”

Nordhagen expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, particularly considering this was his first time tackling Jebel Hafeet. “I didn’t dare to hope that I would finish in the top ten here,” the Norwegian admitted. “Over the winter, I already noticed that I had taken another step forward, so it’s great to see that reflected in the results.” His impressive showing has propelled him to eighth place in the general classification, surpassing his pre-race expectations.

### Stage 6 Results
1. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) – 03:27:54
2. Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) – +00:00:12
3. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) – +00:00:21
6. Jørgen Nordhagen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:36

With one stage left, fans eagerly await to see how Nordhagen will secure his standing among the sport’s elite.