Josh Tarling’s performance at the UAE Tour has been nothing short of extraordinary. Just 24 hours after his dominant win in the Stage 2 individual time trial, the British rider showed impressive grit and resilience on the tough mountain finish of Stage 3, losing only 26 seconds to the leaders—a remarkable feat for someone known primarily as a time trial specialist.

Time Trial Expert, Climbing Challenger: A Remarkable Achievement

While Josh Tarling has built a reputation as one of the fastest men against the clock, his climbing abilities have often been questioned. Time trialists aren’t typically known for their prowess on steep mountain stages, as the demands of sustained power and technical climbing skills are vastly different from the explosive power needed for time trials. However, Tarling’s performance on the climb up Jebel Jais demonstrated his ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

Despite not being a climber by trade, Tarling’s 26-second deficit on a summit finish filled with seasoned climbers is a testament to his incredible physical conditioning and determination. “I’m not a climber,” Tarling said after the stage, “but I’ve been working hard on my endurance and climbing form. To lose just 26 seconds to guys like Pogačar and Roglič is a solid result, especially just one day after the time trial.”

Winning the Time Trial: A Perfect 24-Hour Turnaround

What makes this performance even more impressive is the fact that Tarling claimed victory in the Stage 2 time trial just 24 hours earlier. His stage win in the time trial was a clear demonstration of his exceptional power and aerodynamics, as he comfortably outpaced other specialists and held off the competition to take the win. To back that up with such a strong showing on the mountain, even if it didn’t end with a podium, proves the immense potential he has for a well-rounded future.

A Rising Star in Multiple Disciplines

For a young rider like Tarling, who is still developing his climbing abilities, managing to limit his losses on a tough mountain stage while also excelling in time trials is a sign of huge promise. Many specialists struggle to maintain their performance across different types of terrain, but Tarling seems to be breaking that mold. His ability to hang with some of the best climbers in the world shows he has the potential to grow into a more versatile rider in the future, especially if he continues improving his climbing.

His performances at the UAE Tour are a sign of things to come, and we can expect to see much more from Tarling in the years ahead. As he builds his climbing strength, there’s no telling how well he might fare in stage races that mix time trials and mountain stages.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Season

With the UAE Tour still underway, Tarling’s result on Stage 3 puts him in a strong position for the remainder of the race. Although his true strength lies in time trials, his consistent performances in the mountains give him the ability to target further stage wins in the future, especially as he continues to improve his climbing. Tarling’s resilience and determination to rise to every challenge he faces prove he’s a rider to watch closely throughout the 2025 season and beyond.