Soudal Quick-Step’s Tim Merlier Secures Stage 1 Victory in UAE Tour
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Soudal Quick-Step’s Belgian rider, Tim Merlier, emerged victorious in Stage 1 of the UAE Tour at Liwa on Monday. The 141-kilometer-long first stage, also known as the Burjeel Holding Stage, initiated the eagerly anticipated sixth edition of the UAE Cycling Tour from Al Dhafra Walk in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra region, on February 19.
The winners of the opening stage, including the triumphant Tim Merlier, were honored in a ceremony graced by the presence of Sheikh Hazza bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Arif Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Council.
Tuesday’s stage promises an exciting 12.1km individual time trial with a unique route featuring minimal turns. The race, sanctioned by the International Cycling Federation and organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, sets the stage for a week-long cycling extravaganza, running until February 25th.
The UAE Cycling Tour, hailed as the only global race in the Middle East, commenced with the participation of elite riders from around the world. This edition builds upon the successes of the Tour over its five previous iterations and promises to be a showcase of athleticism and strategic brilliance.
Spanning a total distance of 985 km, the seven-stage tour encompasses a diverse race route comprising four fast stages, two challenging mountain stages, and a crucial against-the-clock stage on Al Hudayriat Island, covering a distance of 12.1 km.
A total of 140 elite cyclists, representing 20 teams from various corners of the globe, are set to compete in the tournament. The participating teams include Emirates (UAE), Decathlon AG2R La Mondial (France), Astana (Kazakhstan), Bahrain Victorious (Bahrain), Bora Hansgrohe (Germany), Albaycin Dequinc (Belgium), Cofidis (France), EF Education (America), Intermarche Wonte (Belgium), Eneos Grenadiers (UK), Lidl Trek (America), Visma (Netherlands), Quick Step (Belgium), Movistar (Spain), among others.
As the UAE Cycling Tour unfolds, cycling enthusiasts can expect a week of intense competition, strategic maneuvers, and breathtaking displays of skill across the diverse landscapes of the United Arab Emirates.
