What will it be like when it’s 100%? Before the start of this Tour of the United Arab Emirates, Remco Evenepoel confided that he was only at 85 or 90% of his possibilities, as he continued his preparation for the Tour of Italy in May.
However, he seemed to have come from another planet, this Monday. While the first stage of the Tour UAE was flat as the hand, the wind came to wreak havoc in the desert. Only Soudal Quick-Step present in a first border of 19 men, the Brabançon saw a second group enter with Tim Merlier and Bert Van Lerberghe, 50 kilometers from the finish. The pace then dropped, up to 25 kilometers from the goal. Moment chosen by the Bahrains of Pello Bilbao and the Soudals of Merlier and Evenepoel to carry out a violent attack when the peloton seemed to have fallen asleep.
Remco Evenepoel before the UAE Tour: “I am at 85-90% of my abilities”
This time it was the decisive edge. Thirteen men quickly took a minute lead: Evenepoel, Merlier, Van Lerberghe, Cavendish, Bol, Bilbao, Arndt, Govekar, Bauhaus, Plapp, Kooij, Ewan and Drizners.
Adam Yates, Remco Evenepoel’s biggest competitor for the final general classification, was trapped for the second time of the day. On the evening of the first stage, the world champion seems to have only two competitors left for the final victory: Bilbao and Plapp.
A long undecided photo-finish
Finally, the stage victory was decided in the sprint between these thirteen riders. And it was Tim Merlier who imposed himself with a breath in front of Caleb Ewan, to the millimeter on the photo-finish which took nearly fifteen minutes to deliver his verdict. Cavendish takes third place.
The peloton finished at 51 seconds.