Eighth victory of 2024 for Soudal Quick-Step.
Tim Merlier won again the opening stage of the UAE Tour, the season’s second World Tour stage race, but this time around there was no need for a photo-finish like it was the case in 2023, as the 31-year-old Belgian finished several bike lengths ahead of his opponents after another phenomenal sprint that confirmed he is one of the fastest riders in the world.
Running from Al Dhafra Walk to Liwa, the stage was quiet until the last kilometers, when things became hectic on the wide roads leading to the finish. The teams were expecting crosswinds from the start of the day, just like last year, but the only wind to make an appearance was on the run-in to the line and it blew from the front, meaning that timing was key, especially as the road went up in the closing 500 meters.
The best sprinter of last edition, Tim worked his way through the peloton and remained calm even when the others decided to open with more than 300 meters to go. Powering down the right side of the road, the double Belgian Champion came back like a rocket and passed the other sprinters with incredible ease, taking a clear victory – his third of the year, after the ones he picked up at the Saudi Tour.
“The UAE Tour is a World Tour race and it’s always nice when you get your first win in this type of event. As it was chaotic out there, I lost my lead-out a bit and had to make a decision inside the final 500 meters, so I went on the right side, which turned out to be the best thing to do. The others started their effort early, but I was confident in my legs and had the speed to come back and overtake them. I’m happy with this win, I am more relaxed now and I’m already looking forward to the next opportunities”, said Tim, who leads both the general and the points classification after his 14th victory in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
