Evenepoel’s gutsy performance proved enough for him to wrap up the Red Jersey with a 59-second advantage over Lucas Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers). Yates’s stage-winning display saw him finish in third place overall, one second behind Plapp.
Evenepoel ‘s race-winning performance also saw him claim the White Jersey, while Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) both held on to their respective Green and Black Jerseys. And UAE Team Emirates also enjoyed a trip to the podium, having won the Team Classification.
(LaPresse)
Stage 7 got underway at Al Ain’s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and five riders formed the day’s main breakaway almost as soon as the start flag was lowered. Their lead temporarily grew to over six minutes, but had been reduced to under three minutes as they began the concluding climb of the day, and they were all swept up with 6km to go.
Then the battle of the best climbers in the race ensued and it was Yates who emerged triumphant at the summit of Jebel Hafeet before Evenepoel took the overall crown.
1 – Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates), 170km in 3h29’42”, average speed 43.776km/h
2 – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) at 10″
3 – Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R Citroen Team) at 42″
Stage winner Adam Yates said in the post-stage press conference: “We pushed full gas in the first 10 minutes of the climb that it worked out well. Then I attacked and Remco and Sepp Kuss followed me, and then when I attacked one more time, that was it. I went on the steepest part of the climb, which suited me the most. Remco knew what to do behind me – he wasn’t going to lose one minute in the last three kilometres. UAE Team Emirates trusted me and believed in me so it’s a real pleasure to win here in our home race.”
General and Young Rider Classification winner Remco Evenepoel said: “It was all out from the bottom to the top of Jebel Hafeet and I am happy with my performance, having not done much climbing training this year. I wasn’t expecting to win this race. I came for a good result but I wouldn’t have thought I’d win it by one minute. I was in good shape all week and I wanted to fight for my Red Jersey today. There’s room for improvement before the Giro but I can be happy with this victory.”
Tim Merlier podio maglia verde
Points Classification winner Tim Merlier said: “As a team, we are very happy with the overall win. Remco wanted to win today’s stage as well but you can’t win everything. Three stage wins, the overall victory and the Points Classification victory – we can be proud of what we achieved here this week.”
Intermediate Sprint Classification winner Edward Planckaert said: “It’s nice to finish with the Intermediate Sprint jersey and it’s encouraging for the future races. I’m normally more of the lead-out man but it’s good to find out here that my form is alright.”
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UAE Tour 2023-Adam Yates vincitore 7° tappa