The Aldar Stage started at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and three riders formed the day’s breakaway. Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Samuele Zoccarato (Green Project-Bardianicsf-Faizane) were among that trio which made an interesting battle for the intermediate sprint points, with Planckaert extending his lead over Zoccarato in the race for the Black Jersey courtesy of his first-placed finishes in both intermediate sprints.
The escapees were hauled back by the peloton with just 5km to go as the sprint teams muscled their way to the fore, and Soudal Quick-Step enjoyed another day in the sun with Merlier powering to victory.
Velon have produced an infographic highlighting Merlier’s stage-winning sprint data which can be downloaded here.
Red Jersey, General Classification. Sponsor: International Holding Company
– Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tim M;erlier
Green Jersey, Points Classification. Sponsor: BeIT – Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
White Jersey, Young Rider Classification. Sponsor: Nakheel – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Black Jersey, Intermediate Sprint Classification. Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi – Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck)As Remco Evenepoel will wear the Red Jersey on Stage 7, the White Jersey will be worn by Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM).
Speaking after the podium presentations, stage winner and Green Jersey holder Tim Merlier said: “Luckily, I was able to find a small gap and start my sprint, and it was enough to take my win. It feels great to do that in the Green Jersey. This is my third victory since the beginning of the season, and my second of this race, and it shows my shape is good.”
Red and White Jersey holder Remco Evenepoel said: “Tomorrow, our goal is to try to defend the Red Jersey, it’s as simple as that. If we manage to win the last stage as well, then that would be an amazing bonus and I’ll try to go for the double. If someone is much stronger than me tomorrow though, I won’t be disappointed. Starting with an advantage of nine seconds is not a lot, but it’s better than one or two seconds, and we have a strong team.
“So far I haven’t won many one-week stage races. This year the Giro d’Italia is my main focus but I also want to win UCI WorldTour races like the UAE Tour, or at least finish on the podium, and so far we’re doing well.”
Stage 7: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Jebel Hafeet (153 KM)
The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. In the first portion of the day features the traditional trip into the desert to the north of the city. The route then winds through Al Ain, where many symbolic landmarks such as Al Ain Zoo, Al Qattara and Al Hili are passed before the race returns to Green Mubazzarah. Here the final climb of Jebel Hafeet begins and this tough, 10km ramp will ultimately decide the race.
Last kms
The final climb winds through wide-ranging hairpin bends on a three-lane highway. Gradients are mainly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% coming 3km from the finish. There is a very short descent in the last kilometre before the final drag to the line.
To find out more about the UAE Tour, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetour.com
Il mondo del cilcismo locale e nazionale ha trovato una nuova e qualificata vetrina online. Si tratta del sito www.pedaletricolore.it, fondato e diretto da Vito Bernardi, giornalista pubblicista, conosciuto da tutti nell'ambiente delle due ruote. Nelle sue pagine, Bernardi raccoglie notizie, comunicati stampa, immagini di corse, atleti, società, dirigenti, e la più ampia informazione su quello che accade quotidianamente nell'Alto Milanese, ma anche a livello nazionale ed internazionale
