ABU DHABI — Belgian Jasper Philipsen saw off a strong field to lay claim to the first stage of the new WorldTour season on Sunday, dominating a sprint finish to the
UAE Tour's 184km opening stage.
اضافة اعلان
The 23-year-old, tackling the race for the
second time, got the better of Sam Bennett with Ineos Grenadiers' Elia Viviani
crossing in third.
Philipsen donned the leader's red jersey
after a largely flat ride culminating in a home straight stretching 50km through
the
Abu Dhabi desert.
"It was the first race of the season so
you don't know how your shape is in comparison with the other teams. I'm really
looking forward to move on and try to repeat the same as we did today,"
said Philipsen.
"It won't always work out but it's good
to win immediately and take the pressure off. We can be really proud of what we
did," added the winner of a stage on the
Vuelta a Espana last year to add
to his three runner-up spots on the Tour de France.
In muscling his way to his 15th career stage
victory, he appeared to impede
Dylan Groenewegen.
The winner of two stages last week in
Saudi Arabia was pushed off his line, against the barriers on the right, and narrowly
missed a podium place.
Trickier days are to come which will give two-time
Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar who came in 10 seconds adrift in 27th his
chance.
The Slovenian, the winner in 2021, is the
favorite for the week that contains two tough days climbing and a tricky 9km
individual time-trial.
Having triumphed across the peaks and plains
of France,
Pogacar starts his preparation for a third tilt at cycling's
greatest prize in the seven-day race across the dust and desert in his UAE
Emirates team's home race.
Monday's second stage, a 173km ride from
Hudayriyat Island to Abu Dhabi Breakwater, should once again play into the
hands of the sprinters.
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