Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Portuguese rider Ivo Oliveira of UAE Team Emirates-XRG claimed the final stage and overall general classification (GC) at the Tour de Kyushu, in Japan, on Monday, securing his first-ever GC title and a second successive stage win for the Emirati squad.
Oliveira outsprinted Alexandre Delettre (TotalEnergies) and Luke Mudgway (Li Ning Star) at the end of a fast and demanding stage on the Japanese island of Kyushu. The result lifted the team to 77 victories in the 2026 season, with one week of racing still remaining on the calendar.
Having taken the blue leader’s jersey with victory in stage 2, Oliveira entered the final day with only narrow time gaps protecting his overall lead. UAE Team Emirates-XRG controlled the race from the outset, with Davide Stella, Enea Sambinello and Adrià Pericas managing the early breakaway.
In the decisive final 30 kilometres, Kevin Vermaerke played a key role, single-handedly shutting down a dangerous solo move by Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) before helping Oliveira neutralise successive attacks from the peloton.
With the reduced bunch intact at the flamme rouge, Oliveira timed his sprint to perfection inside the final 200 metres, overhauling Delettre on the line to claim the stage and confirm the overall title. The double stage winner now has 10 career victories.
“I feel amazing, I feel super, super happy. I think it is my best victory on the road. I never won a GC before, so to come to Japan and win two stages and the overall classification, I am over the moon,” Oliveira said.
“The guys today from my team… I have no words for them. Everyone did their job amazingly. Davide, Enea and Adrià, and especially Kevin in the last 30km, he pulled back Jordan alone. Kevin, for me, he deserves to win this stage, this Tour, because really what he did for me today was amazing and I have to thank him."
“I think this race was nearly perfect for us. With Davide, our young sprinter, we did fourth place with him in the first stage. Then, we win two stages and the GC. There was only one stage we did not win, so I think it is a perfect way to finish the road season and it is amazing."
