MCNULTY WINS IN UAE TEAM EMIRATES CLEAN SWEEP

The US National Champion precedes his teammates Jay Vine and Mikkel Bjerg. Tomorrow Jebel Jais will host the first uphill finish of the UAE Tour

Hudayriyat Island, 20 February 2024 – Stage win and Red Jersey for Brandon McNulty in the Presight Stage, a 12.1km time trial starting and finishing on Hudayriyat Island that saw the UAE Team Emirates riders score a sensational hat-trick. Behind the US National Champion, at a distance of two and four seconds respectively, were team-mates Jay Vine and Mikkel Bjerg. The new White Jersey Ilan Van Wilder, 6th at 17″, and Pello Bilbao, 8th at 19″ from McNulty, were the two GC riders who entered the top 10. Just behind them Ben O’Connor, 11th at 22″, and Adam Yates, who finished in 16th place at 28″ on the eve of the first of the two uphill finishes of the UAE Tour, at the summit of the 1491 meters of Jebel Jais.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalifa, H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC, and DR. Adel Alsharji, Chief Operating Officer at Presight, awarded the stage winner Brandon McNulty

STAGE RESULTS
1 – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), 12.1km in 13’27”, av. speed 53.922 km/h
2 – Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) at 2″
3 – Mikkel Norsgaard Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) at 4″

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates)
2 – Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) at 2″
3 – Mikkel Norsgaard Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) at 4″

Mr. Fouad Darwish – CEO of Palm Sports – with the new Red Jersey Brandon McNulty

THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS

The leader jerseys of the UAE Tour are provided by ALÉ

• Red Jersey, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by International Holding Company – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates)
• Green Jersey, leader of the Points Classification – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) – worn by Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
• White Jersey, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Nakheel – Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step)
• Black Jersey, leader of the Intermediate Sprint Classification, sponsored by Bin Hamoodah Auto – Mark Stewart (Team Corratec – Vini Fantini)

Mr. Hussein Khansaeb – Director Marine Engineering – awarded the White Jersey Ilan Van Wilder

PRESS CONFERENCE

Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner and new Red Jersey Brandon McNulty said: “It’s really good to win this stage. As for myself, I kind of exceeded where I wanted to be, plus the team has done great. I could see during my race the speed was really good, so I followed the plan for pacing. I was definitely nervous on hot seat, really anxious I can say but it pays off. We knew some good riders were coming at the end, so it’s been a relief when it was all over and I’m super happy. The team has put a lot of efforts in developing the material, not only for the TT, it’s good to see that it pays of in the time trial. Today’s result gives me a lot of confidence ahead of the Olympics. After some good results last year, I’ve been trying to focus more on TT looking at Paris. Having three wins already this year puts me super high but this is another level than Valencia. It’s huge to make the top 3 as a team, it’s a good performance and show for our sponsors. I don’t think it changes out plans too much. Adam [Yates] is still our best climber, it’s a good position for all of us”.

The White Jersey Ilan Van Wilder said: “I didn’t really expect to be in the white jersey today. I just wanted to do a good TT on this fast course and I’m happy with the performance. I didn’t look at the times of the other young riders. It was just about my own ride. I often help Remco Evenepoel but I also have personal ambitions, especially in uphill finishes. Here we have a strong team with Jan Hirt and Mauri [Vansevenant]. We can play some cards. This is UAE Team Emirates home race so they are strong and super motivated here but we’ll try to make it difficult for them”.

Mr. Islam Yasser – Fleet Sales in charge at Bin Hamoodah Auto – awarded the Black Jersey Mark Stewart

STATISTICS

• Brandon McNulty posted the first win for the U.S. at the UAE Tour, 14th country to join the winner’s list.
• 8th stage win at the UAE Tour for UAE Team Emirates: they have recorded at least a win in every edition (1 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024; 2 in 2022 and 2023).
• UAE Team Emirates (McNulty, Vine, Bjerg) is the first team with a stage 1-2 and as well a stage podium lockout in the UAE Tour.

TOMORROW’S STAGE – STAGE 3 AL MARJAN ISLAND-JEBEL JAIS, 176 KM – RAS AL KHAIMAH STAGE 

The route

The first of two mountain stages of the UAE Tour. The stage is divided into two distinct parts. The first approaches the final mountain undulating through the desert, while the last is characterized by approximately 20 km of continuous climbing up to the finish. Starting from Al Marjan Island, the course reaches Ras al Khaimah and returns to the desert. After the Ras al Khaimah airport, the race heads straight for Jais Mountain. The final climb is approximately 20 km long at constant 5% gradient, with slightly higher gradients around 7% in the last 2 km.

Final kilometres

The final climb winds through hairpin bends on a very wide roadway. Gradients are mainly around 4-5% in the first part and 5-7% in the second one, with a peak of 9% around 2 km from the finish. The finish is on straight asphalt roads.

To find out more about the UAE Tour, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetour.com

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