Published on February 21, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. – updated on February 21, 2023 at 2:43 p.m.
Belgians from Soudal-Quick Step won the UAE Tour team time trial, but it was Ineos Grenadiers rider Luke Plapp who took the lead in the general classification, narrowly ahead of Remco Evenepoel.
After Tim Merlier’s victory at the photo-finish on Monday, there was still suspense on Tuesday on the Tour of the United Arab Emirates! It was indeed a flat team time trial of 17.2 kilometers that was on the program, and the Belgians of Soudal-Quick Step only won by a second once morest the Americans of EF Education. -EasyPost. Starting last following Merlier’s victory the day before, the “Wolf pack” was only sixth at the intermediate crossing point of the 7th kilometer, ten seconds behind the Americans in the pink jersey., but he finished very strong to clinch this great victory. Despite everything, it is not Tim Merlier who retains the leader’s jersey. Indeed, the sprinter was released in the last hectometres and therefore finished with a worse time than his teammates.
A formidable ascent on Wednesday
Luke Plapp is the new leader, ahead of Remco Evenepoel. The Australian from Ineos Grenadiers and the Soudal-Quick Step world champion have the same race time of 3h35’50 following two stages, but Plapp had finished ahead of Evenepoel during Monday’s stage (7th once morest 8th), which gives him the command of the general classification. However, the twice reigning Australian road race champion might lose his leader’s jersey on Wednesday, because the formidable ascent of Jebel Jais (1489m altitude, 18km at 5.6% average), highlight of the country, will be on the menu. A great classic of the UAE Tour. The last three winners at its peak are Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic. Just that !
WORD TOUR / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TOUR
Classification of the 2nd stage (Khalifa Port – Khalifa Port, 17.2km CLM by teams) – Tuesday February 21, 2023
1- Soudal-Quick Step (BEL) en 18″17
2- EF Education-EasyPost (USA) at 1″
3- Ineos Grenadiers (GBR) at 3″
4- Bahrain-Victorious (BHR) from 4″
5- Jayco AlUla (AUS) at 5″
6- DSM (PBS) at 10″
7- Bora-Hansgrohe (GER) at 15″
8- UAE Emirates (UAE) at 16″
9- Astana Qazaqstan (KAZ) at 17″
10- Trek-Segafredo (USA) at 19″
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13- Groupama-FDJ (FRA) at 26″
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General classification (following 2 out of 7 stages)
1- Luke Plapp (AUS/Ineos Grenadiers) and 3h35’50
2- Remco Evenepoel (BEL/Soudal-Quick Step) mt
3- Nikias Arndt (ALL/Bahrain Victorious) à 3″
4- Pello Bilbao (ESP/Bahrain Victorious) at 4″
5- Mark Cavendish (GBR/Astana Qazakstan) at 15″
6- Cees Bol (PBS/Astana Qazaqstan) at 21″
7- Olav Kooij (PBS/Jumbo-Visma) à 23″
8- Bert Van Lerberghe (BEL/Soudal-Quick Step) at 29″
9- Tim Merlier (BEL/Soudal-Quick Step) à 30″
10- Jarrad Drizners (AUS/Lotto Dstny) à 50″
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57- Arnaud Démare (FRA / Groupama-FDJ) at 1’19
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