Belgian Philipsen wins the first stage of the UAE Tour 2022

Abu Dhabi (Etihad)

Belgian Jasper Philipsen won his first ever victory in the UAE Tour 2022, which started yesterday in its fourth edition, by winning the first stage, “Al Ain Water Stage”, which was held in Madinat Zayed in the Al Dhafra region, following defeating an elite group of riders nominated to win, led by the Irishman Sam Bennett, Italy’s Elia Viviani, and Dutchman Dylan Groenwegan.
Phillipsin, rider of the Albisin Phoenix team, won the first stage title, following completing the race of 184 km, in a time of 4.42.24 hours. Sam Bennett, rider of the Bora Hansgrohe team, took second place, and thirdly, Italian Elia Viviani, rider of the Inios Greniders team, in the second place. The fourth Dutchman, Dylan Groenwegan, cyclist for the BAIC Xichang team.

Jasper Philipsen won 3 shirts at the end of the race, as he wore the red shirt for the general ranking leader, the green shirt for the leader in points, and the white shirt for the best young rider under the age of 23, while he was crowned with the black shirt for the leader of the middle speed stage, Russian Gazprom rider Dmitry Strakhov.
The UAE Tour 2022 is the inaugural race of the World Tour for the 2022 season, and the only global race in the Middle East on the UCI calendar.
Jasper Philipsen wears the red shirt sponsored by International Holding Company during the second stage that is being held today in the capital Abu Dhabi, while the Irishman Sam Bennett wears the green shirt sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency, and the white shirt appears sponsored by “Nakheel” with Max Kanter, the movie star rider, while wearing the black shirt. Sponsored by the Russian “Abu Dhabi Aviation” Dmitry Strakhov.
The race and winners were attended by Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Acting Under-Secretary of the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Rashid Abdul Karim Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Arif Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Muhammad Ali Al Mansouri, Director General of Al Dhafra Municipality, and Colonel Hamdan Saif Al Mansouri Director of the Al Dhafra Police Directorate, Ahmed Ibrahim, Head of Communication and Media Department of the International Holding Company, Hashem Al Hashemi, Director of Business and Projects at Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Muhammad Al Qasim, Managing Director of Nakheel.
For his part, Jasper Philipsen described his victory in the first stage of the Emirates Tour as a “wonderful victory”, stressing that the race went well, and the team did an outstanding job throughout the entire race.
“This victory makes for a great start to the season,” he said in the press conference, following the end of the stage. “Everything went well, and as we planned in the team, we had tailwinds at the end of the race, and when the winds are in the opposite direction, you should not rush in front first. We realized that the speed was very high during the race, and I did manage to increase my speed in the last metres.
“I’m glad we found a gap between the riders in the final moments, so I might pick up the speed as I wanted,” he added.
He concluded by saying: “The race here in the UAE is fantastic and includes a selection of top-level riders, and of course it is important that we start the season well in the UAE.
Today, Monday, the second phase of the Emirates Tour, “the stage of the International Holding Company”, will be held on Al Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi, with a total distance of 176 km. In the middle of it is Al Wathba Camel Track, then to the islands of Yas and Saadiyat, all the way to the Corniche, and the breakwater area at the finish line.
The departure will be from Al Hudayriat Island at 12:20 pm, then go directly to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, then to the Sheikh Zayed Bridge exit on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street towards Al Raha District, passing through Al Qanat Street, then turn right onto Al Bandar Street towards Madinat Zayed, then left towards Diab Bin Issa Street towards Shakhbout City, turn left on Diab Bin Issa Street toward Al Shawamekh area, then turn left from Al Shawamekh Street towards Baniyas and across Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street to Al Wathba Camel Race Track, then head straight towards Al Nahda “East” and make a U-turn Left to Baniyas, then right to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Street towards Riyadh.
This is followed by arriving in the city of Riyadh and heading directly through Al-Khair Street to Al-Falah area, then to Al-Ghada Street, then Al-Khalidiya Street, and taking the exit that leads to Sweihan Road. Adhere to Sweihan Road, then take the Yas Island exit and turn right onto Al Merief Street, then enter the Yas Tunnel and go directly to Darb Yas Street and from there to Professional Street, then to Darb Yas Street once more, all the way to the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.
Head straight to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and turn at the Saadiyat Island exit towards Al Dhabah Street and from there to the Louvre Museum, then turn left onto Jacques Chirac Street, up to the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, then head to Zayed Port via Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. Arrival at Zayed Port, then go directly through the port link to Abu Dhabi Corniche, then turn left to the end point at Al Marsa Street.

Al-Awani: Hamdan bin Zayed’s support is behind the great successes
Aref Hamad Al-Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, thanked and appreciated His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra region, praising His Highness’ support and keenness to provide all factors of success for all sports activities and events held in the Al Dhafra region, and the first phase witnessed by the The Emirates Tour in particular, pointing out that the wise leadership’s support for the various sports, championships and international events that are held in the country played an important role in achieving the great successes achieved by the UAE globally.
He also thanked the Al Dhafra Region Police Directorate, the Al Dhafra Region Municipality and all the competent and cooperating authorities, in appreciation of their great efforts made to overcome all difficulties, during the course of the first phase of the circumnavigation, indicating that the first phase went without any obstacles and very well, praising the role of volunteers from the Emirati Marshal Team. Those who participated in the success of the first phase in the best possible way, as volunteers play a major role in the organizational process.
Al-Awani explained that the completion of the organizational, administrative, technical and health arrangements before the start of the circumnavigation contributed to the exit of the first stage as expected, and helps to continue in the remaining six stages of the only race in the Middle East.
He stressed that the first phase, which was held in Madinat Zayed, painted a unique and vivid painting of the Al Dhafra region, highlighting its wonderful natural features that reflect the beauty and splendor of the UAE.