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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Vine and Narvaez catapult UAE to GC win up the Corkscrew

Vine and Narvaez catapult UAE to GC win up the Corkscrew on Tour Down Under 2026 stage 2

UAE Team Emirates - XRG delivered a commanding performance on Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour Down Under, as Jay Vine and Jhonatan Narváez broke clear on the decisive ascent of the Corkscrew and crossed the line in Uraidla with a 58-second advantage. The move catapulted the pair to the top of the general classification and left rivals scrambling to respond.

2026-tdu-stage2-results

Stage 2 had been billed as the queen stage, but few expected the margins to grow so large. The Corkscrew’s steep ramps proved the perfect launchpad: Adam Yates set a brutal pace that propelled Vine into the steepest section, and Narváez was the only rider able to bridge across. Once together, Vine and Narváez worked seamlessly, using the rolling finale to extend their lead while the chasers failed to form an effective pursuit. By the finish, the UAE duo held a comfortable one-minute cushion over their closest competitors, positioning the team strongly for the rest of the race.

The victory underlines UAE Team Emirates - XRG’s depth and tactical strength early in the week. Vine’s explosive climbing and Narváez’s steady tempo riding combined to create a decisive result that rewards both bravery and teamwork. The outcome also highlights the team’s effective race plan: a sustained tempo led by Yates into the base of the Corkscrew, followed by a committed attack that left rivals with too much work to do in the closing kilometers.

“We committed to making the race hard and attacking where it mattered,” said team director Luca Bianchi. “Adam’s work set the platform, Jay timed his move perfectly, and Jhonatan showed great composure to join and share the effort. This result is down to collective strength and belief — we’ll defend the leader’s position and keep attacking when the road suits us.”

With the GC lead now in sight, UAE Team Emirates - XRG will focus on disciplined defense and smart racing across the remaining stages. The team’s priority will be to protect the time gained while remaining ready to exploit further opportunities in the uphill finishes and rolling terrain still to come. Competitors can expect aggressive, coordinated tactics from a squad that has demonstrated both the legs and the plan to control the race.

VIDEO: 2026 Tour Down Under Stage 2

2026 Tour Down Under Stage 2 Top 10

1 VINE Jay UAE Team Emirates - XRG 3:36:42.000
2 NARVÁEZ Jhonatan UAE Team Emirates - XRG 0:00.000
3 SCHMID Mauro Team Jayco AlUla 0:58.000
4 KRON Andreas Uno-X Mobility 0:58.000
5 ZANA Filippo Soudal Quick-Step 0:58.000
6 TESFATSION Natnael Movistar Team 0:58.000
7 YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates - XRG 0:58.000
8 SOBRERO Matteo Lidl - Trek 0:58.000
9 SWEENY Harry EF Education - EasyPost 0:58.000
10 BRENNER Marco Tudor Pro Cycling Team 0:58.000

2026 Tour Down Under GC after Stage 2 Top 10

1 VINE Jay UAE Team Emirates - XRG 6:23:33.000
2 NARVÁEZ Jhonatan UAE Team Emirates - XRG 0:06.000
3 SCHMID Mauro Team Jayco AlUla 1:05.000
4 SWEENY Harry EF Education - EasyPost 1:12.000
5 BRENNER Marco Tudor Pro Cycling Team 1:14.000
6 KRON Andreas Uno-X Mobility 1:16.000
7 LEONARD Michael EF Education - EasyPost 1:22.000
8 RACCAGNI NOVIERO Andrea Soudal Quick-Step 1:22.000
9 YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates - XRG 1:23.000
10 CHARMIG Anthon Uno-X Mobility 1:23.000
 
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