On a day full of excitement and challenge, Swiss cyclist Yannis Voizard etched his name in the annals of the sixth edition of the AlUla Tour 2026, after achieving a well-deserved first place in the third stage held on Thursday, January 29, 2026. This global sporting event, organized by the Saudi Cycling Federation in cooperation with the leading ASO organization and the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, and under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Sports, comes as part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate the Kingdom's position on the world sports map.

Background and context of the Al-Ula tour

The AlUla Tour, formerly known as the Saudi Tour, is one of the most prominent cycling races in the Middle East and is included in the UCI Asia Tour calendar. Since its inception, the race has gained increasing importance year after year, attracting elite teams and cyclists from around the world. Organizing this event reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, enhance the sports and tourism sectors, and showcase the unique natural and historical landmarks of the AlUla region to the world.

Details of the third phase and its impact

The third stage of the Winter Park race covered 142 kilometers, reaching Bir Jida and Jebel Warka. The route was characterized by its diverse terrain and challenging mountainous conditions, testing the physical abilities and tactical plans of the riders. At the end of the race, Yannis Voizard of Tudor Pro Cycling crossed the finish line first with a time of 3 hours and 22 minutes, outperforming his rivals in the final meters. He was followed by Portugal's Afonso Yolalio of Bahrain Victories in second place, while Colombia's Sergio Higuita of XDS Astana finished third, completing the podium.

The distribution of shirts and their importance

Fawazard's achievement wasn't limited to winning the stage; it also earned him the green jersey, awarded to the overall leader. In the other categories, Italian Jonathan Milan of LidlTrek retained the red jersey for sprint points, while Portuguese Afonso Eulalio claimed the white jersey as the best young rider under 25. The orange jersey, awarded to the most aggressive and dynamic rider in the race, went to Malaysian Zee Ye Kee of Terengganu. These jerseys symbolize excellence in various aspects of the race and add an extra layer of competition between the teams.

A look to the future

All eyes are now on the fourth stage, taking place tomorrow, Friday, as competitors set off from the Winter Park to cover 184 kilometers towards the Sajiliyat rock formations. As the race nears its decisive stages, the competition for the title is expected to intensify, promising fans even more excitement amidst the breathtaking natural beauty and rich history of AlUla.

Al-Nassr is preparing for a crucial match as they travel to face Al-Kholoud in the Saudi Professional League. Portuguese coach Luis Castro has finalized his list of foreign players who will form the backbone of the team for this decisive game, aiming to maintain pressure on the league leaders and secure three valuable points.

General context and importance of the match

This match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with Al-Nassr currently in second place in the league standings. They cannot afford to drop any points if they are to maintain their title hopes. Relying on foreign professionals is a key strategy for Castro, especially given their high technical ability, which gives the team the edge in most matches. The Roshan League's policy of allowing eight foreign players to be registered and fielded in matches has transformed the competitive landscape, raised the overall level of play, and made top clubs like Al-Nassr formidable forces both domestically and continentally.

List of foreign stars and their influence

Luis Castro relies on a constellation of world-class stars to lead the team. Al-Nassr's foreign contingent boasts a stellar lineup, spearheaded by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo , the team's captain and top scorer, whose presence provides immense moral and technical motivation. Alongside him, Senegalese forward Sadio Mane with his speed and ability to penetrate defenses, while Brazilian Anderson Talisca is considered one of the most dangerous players thanks to his powerful shots and intelligent movement.

In midfield, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic the team's engine and the one who dictates the tempo of the game, while Portuguese Otavio dynamism and the ability to link the lines. In defense, Spaniard Aymeric Laporte the rock of the back line, on whom Castro relies to build attacks from the back and protect the goal, supported by Brazilian full-back Alex Telles, who provides effective attacking options from the left flank. This combination of players gives Al-Nassr great balance and a variety of tactical choices.

Expected impact and future aspirations

These stars are expected to have a direct impact on the outcome of the match against Al-Kholoud. Their international experience and individual abilities enable them to decide difficult encounters. A victory for Al-Nassr in this match is not just about three points; it sends a strong message to their rivals that the team will fight until the very end for the league title. The strong performance of these players also reflects the success of the ambitious sports project in Saudi Arabia, which aims to make the Roshan League one of the strongest leagues in the world—a goal that is already being realized with the presence of names of the caliber of Ronaldo, Mane, and Brozovic on Saudi pitches.

In a notable tactical move, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, decided to exclude two players from the squad that will face Al-Qadisiyah in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The decision included striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan and young defender Yusuf Akçışık, with the coach citing purely technical reasons related to his tactical plans for the match, which will be held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium.

General context and background of the decision

This decision comes amidst an exceptional season for Al-Hilal, who are striving to maintain their unbeaten record and continue leading the league standings. Jorge Jesus is known for his strict player selection policy and his rotation policy, especially given the congested fixture schedule and competition on multiple fronts, both domestically and continentally, most notably the AFC Champions League and the King's Cup. Through these decisions, Jesus aims to maintain the physical fitness of all players and give the most prepared players the opportunity to implement his tactics in each individual match.

The importance of the decision and its expected impact

The exclusion of Abdullah Al-Hamdan, in particular, has sparked much speculation about his future with the team. Once considered one of Saudi Arabia's brightest talents, Al-Hamdan is finding it difficult to secure enough playing time due to the presence of the outstanding Serbian striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic. Press reports have linked the player with a move to other clubs in the league in search of regular starting positions, and his recent exclusion only intensifies these rumors. As for the young Turkish player, Yusuf Akcisik, his exclusion appears to be aimed at giving him more time to adapt and develop, especially given the presence of more experienced defensive options such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulaihi.

Domestically, this decision reflects the depth and strength of Al-Hilal's squad, allowing the coach to release international players without significantly impacting the team's performance. Regionally, the decision highlights the challenges facing local players given the presence of a constellation of international stars in the Saudi league, raising the level of competition and forcing everyone to perform at their best. This decision comes after the team's 1-1 draw against Al-Riyadh in their last match, which may motivate coach Jesus to reshuffle his tactical plans before upcoming matches to secure victories and widen the gap with their closest rivals.