Adam Yates Secures 91st Win for UAE Team Emirates XRG as Pogačar Claims European Title
A dominant performance by Adam Yates culminated in the 91st victory of the 2025 season for UAE Team Emirates XRG, coinciding with teammate Tadej Pogačar’s triumph at the European road race championships. Yates’ win at the 78th edition of the Coppa Agostoni, however, was marked by a stroke of misfortune for his breakaway companion, Carlos Canal of Movistar.
The 166.7-kilometer race, held on a challenging circuit around Lissone, Italy, featured an Ardennes-like route with three significant climbs repeated four times each: Sitori (1.5km at 5.7%), Colle Brianza (3.6km at 6.4%), and Lissolo (2km at 6.7%). The demanding course proved decisive in shaping the race’s outcome.
After an initially cautious start with no successful breakaway attempts in the first hour, a formidable group of 17 riders eventually established a lead over the peloton. This leading group included a diverse array of talent: Nans Peters and Paul Lapiera (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Rémy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ), Carlos Canal and Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar), Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal-Quickstep), Fausto Masnada (XDS Astana), Hugo de la Calle and Sergio Chumil (Burgos Burpellet BH), Davide Piganzoli (Polti-VisitMalta), Jonathan Caicedo (Petrolike), Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility), Alessandro Fancellu (Team UKYO), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), and Adam Yates, Ivo Oliveira and Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates XRG).
The breakaway initially gained a comfortable advantage, but the relentless pace and accumulated fatigue from the numerous climbs began to take their toll. With 52km remaining, Yates and Oliveira surged ahead, eventually leaving only Yates and Canal at the front of the race. UAE Team Emirates XRG, with Jay Vine playing a key role, effectively controlled the chase behind, preventing any significant counterattacks.
As the race neared its conclusion, Yates and Canal held a 24-second lead over Vine and Lapiera with 36km to go, and a more substantial 1:15 advantage over a chasing group containing Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG). However, the race took a dramatic turn with 17km remaining when Canal suffered a puncture, forcing him to stop for a bike change. This untimely mechanical issue relegated Canal to 20 seconds behind Yates in the final kilometers.
“The puncture was a real blow for Canal,” noted one cycling analyst. “He was riding incredibly strongly and looked poised to challenge for the win.”
Left to ride solo, Yates expertly navigated the remaining distance, securing his victory. Canal, despite his best efforts to rejoin the leader, was forced to settle for second place. The battle for the final podium position culminated in a sprint finish, with Simone Velasco of XDS Astana taking third, adding valuable points for his team.
The victory marks a significant milestone for UAE Team Emirates XRG, bringing their season tally to 91 wins. It also underscores the team’s strength and depth, particularly on a day when teammate Pogačar was simultaneously celebrating his European road race title. The Coppa Agostoni proved to be a race of attrition, ultimately rewarding Yates’ resilience and the strategic prowess of his team.
