Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen took his first ever stage victory at the UAE Tour as he successfully out-sprinted a star studded field of fast men in the bunch sprint at the end of Stage 1, the Al Ain Water Stage. Sam Bennett, Elia Viviani and Dylan Groenewegen surrendered after the Alpecin-Fenix rider launched his sprint from far out, taking advantage of the tailwind. He claimed three of the four distinctive race jerseys: GC, points and best young rider, while breakaway rider Dmitrii Strakhov of Gazprom–RusVelo took the Black Jersey of the intermediate sprints. It was all together again with 20km to go before the highly awaited first bunch sprint of the year in the UCI WorldTour.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council, H.E. Nasser Mohammed Al Mansoori, Ruler's Representative Court Al Dhafrah Region and Ahmed Ibrahim, International Holding Company Head of Corporate Communication and Media, awarded the Red Jersey to Jasper Philipsen
STAGE RESULT
1 - Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), 184km in 4h42’34”, average speed 39.070km/h
2 - Sam Bennett (BORA - Hansgrohe) s.t.
3 - Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix)
2 - Sam Bennett (BORA - Hansgrohe) at 4"
3 - Dmitrii Strakhov (Gazprom–RusVelo) st.
OFFICIAL JERSEYS
- Red Jersey, General Classification. Sponsor: International Holding Company - Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix)
- Green Jersey, Points Classification. Sponsor: Italian Trade Agency (ICE) - Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), worn by Sam Bennett (BORA - hansgrohe)
- White Jersey, Young Rider Classification. Sponsor: Nakheel - Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), worn by Xandres Vervloesem (Lotto Soudal)
- Black Jersey, Intermediate Sprint Classification. Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Aviation - Dmitrii Strakhov (Gazprom–RusVelo
