Tim Merlier wins the sprint and is the first leader of the UAE Tour 2024
Euskaraz irakurri: Tim Merlierrek sprints irabazi du stage this bera da UAE Tourreko lehen leads
The Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick Step) He had the honor of wearing the leader’s red jersey for the first time in the UAE Tour by authoritatively winning the sprint in the first stage between Al Dhafra Walk Madinat Zayed and Liwa, 141 kilometres, in a bumpy finish with several runners affected.
Merlier (Wortegem Petegem, 31 years old) He had no rival in a disorderly and chaotic arrival, in which he imposed his speed with notable authority, with a time of 3h.09.55, at an average of 44.5 km/hour, ahead of the Dutchman Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor) and the Italian Jaku Mareczko (Corratec).
The Colombian from Movistar got into the “ointment” Fernando Gaviriathe first to launch the sprint for victory, but the runner from La Ceja did not perfectly calculate his effort, he started too soon and several rivals passed him in the last meters.
Moments before there was a massive fall 200 meters from the finish line with several cyclists affected, among them the Colombian from Astana Harold Tejada, who reached the finish line riding the bicycle of his Italian teammate Gazzoli, while pushing his own.
This Tuesday the second stage will be a 12.1 km individual time trial with departure and arrival at Al Hudayriyat Island.
Stage:
1 – MERLIER Tim (Soudal) 3:09:55
2 – DE KLEIJN Arvid (Tudor) mt
3 – MARECZKO Jakub (Corratec) mt
4 – JAKOBSEN Fabio (dsm) mt
5 – WELSFORD Sam (BORA) mt
6 – GAVIRIA Fernando (Movistar) mt
7 – MOLANO Juan Sebastián (UAE) mt
8 – CONSONNI Simone (Lidl – Trek) mt
9 – BAUHAUS Phil (Bahrain) mt
10 – VAN DE PAAR Jarne (Lotto) mt
General ranking:
1 – MERLIER Tim (Soudal) 3:09:45
2 – DE KLEIJN Arvid (Tudor) + 0:04
3 – STEWART Mark (Corratec) mt
4 – MARECZKO Jakub (Corratec) + 0:06
5 – MURGANO Marco (Corratec) mt
6 – BILBAO Pello (Bahrain) + 0:09
7 – VAN BELLE Loe (Visma) mt
8 – JAKOBSEN Fabio (dsm) + 0:10
9 – WELSFORD Sam (BORA) mt
10 – GAVIRIA Fernando (Movistar) mt
Source: Eitb
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