ABU DHABI, 25th February 2023 (WAM) — Belgium’s Tim Merler was crowned champion in the sixth and final stage of the fifth edition of the UAE Tour 2023, the Middle East’s only global race organized by Abu Dhabi. The Sports Council is part of the agenda of the International Cycling Federation.
The sixth stage started from Yas Island, specifically in front of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, passed the most important landmarks of the capital and covered a distance of 166 km to reach the breakwater in Abu Dhabi.
Merler, a (Sodal-Quick-Step) rider, completed the distance in 3:41:12 hours ahead of his Irish rivals Sam Bennett of Bora-Hansgrohe and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen of Jaiko Al-Ula. The team achieved its second win of the tour after winning the first leg tournament held at Al Dhafra region.
Belgian Remko Evenpoel, rider of the Southal Quick Step team, had two jerseys at the end of the race, wearing the red shirt sponsored by the leader (International Holding Company) in the general stages of the race. The white jersey was awarded to the best young cyclist under 23 years of age (Al Nagil Company), 9 seconds ahead of his Australian competitor, Lucas Blapp.
Tim Merler won the green jersey (Italian Trade Company) for the points lead, and Ibbelsen Deconink team leader sponsored the black jersey by Belgian Edouard Blanchard (Abu Dhabi Experience).
The winners were Aref Hamad Al-Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Fahd Al-Qaumi, Under-Secretary of the Government Assistance Department, and Saleh Al-Jaziri, Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism. Jonathan Emery, Managing Director of Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi, and Fouad Darwish, CEO and Managing Director of Palms Sports, and Sabir Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer of Barjeel Holdings, and Ali Bin Taalid, Senior Director of Al Marine Exploration. Copy company.
“It was a tough stage today,” Merler said.
“I think the morale in the team is very high after our third win of the Tour,” said Southall Quick-Step rider Evanpole.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the curtain will fall on this edition of the Tour of the Emirates on the final, seventh stage in Al Ain, which starts from the “Hassa bin Zayed” stadium and reaches the summit of Mount Hafid, a distance of 153 km. , which is the classic mountain stage of the Emirates Tour.