MERLIER DOES IT AGAIN

The former Belgian National Champion becomes the most succesful rider in the history of the UAE Tour. Arvid De Kleijn, second placed as in the opening stage, and Olav Kooij complete today’s podium

Dubai Harbour, 22 February 2024 – Second sprint and second victory for Tim Merlier who, after winning the opening stage, took home also the Dubai Stage. As it happened on the first day of the UAE Tour, the former Belgian National Champion took the lead in the sprint with just over 100 metres to go, keeping behind Arvid De Kleijn and Olav Kooij. No changes in the classifications as Jay Vine keeps the Red Jersey while Ilan Van Wilder still holds the White Jersey. Mark Stewart, in the breakaway for the third day out of three in company with Harm Vanhoucke, has increased his lead in the Green and Black Jersey Classifications.

H.E. Saeed Hareb, General Secretary of Dubai Sports Council, H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Colonel Abdullah Al Marri,
Director of Events Department for Dubai Police, and Eng. Abdullah Jassem, Event Planning Manager of Road and Transport Authority, awarded the stage winner Tim Merlier

Isa Khouri from Mirak and NRTC, Representing International Holding Compnay (IHC), awarded the Red Jersey Jay Vine

STAGE RESULTS
1 – Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), 168km in 4h01’47”, av. speed 41.690 km/h
2 – Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) s.t.
3 – Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates)
2 – Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) at 11″
3 – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) at 13″

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 – Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates)
• Green Jersey, leader of the Points Classification – Mark Stewart (Team Corratec – Vini Fantini)
• 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) – worn by Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Dstny)

Mr. Khaled al Shehi, Chief Procurement & Projects Officer from Nakheel, awarded the White Jersey Ilan Van Wilder

Mr Mohammed Rashed, Chief Projects Officer from Nakheel, with the White Jersey Ilan Van Wilder

PRESS CONFERENCE

Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Tim Merlier said: “It would be nice to win all four flat stages but the other sprinters will make it hard for me. But I already won two stages here. I’m looking forward to more but it’s not easy. My team-mate Ilan Van Wilder crashed but I avoided it. My team-mates put me in a good spot. It looks like the train is on the rails. Because the wind was coming from the left side, I saw Olav [Kooij] going and luckily I found my way and from there it was straight forward to the line. We rode yesterday for Ilan and we show every day that we are a very strong team. Bert Van Lerberghe and I know each other since we were 12 years old. It’s nice story. Last year we came together in this team. I’m happy to have a god lead out man”.

The Red Jersey Jay Vine said: “Nothing really changed since we set the strategy for this race. It’s just a little bit different for me to be the rider in the lead. It’s pretty special and Dubai is a special place to be in for this. During the first part of the stage, it was pretty relaxed so I took time to look at the buildings but further on, I stayed focused with my team-mates to stick together as a team. I always have Vegard [Stake Laengen] close to me in case something wrong happens. Once we reached the last kilometres, I felt relieved and stress free. It’s a very nice race to be in this position. It’s a shame not to win the bunch sprint in Dubai like last year but our priority remains to win the overall”.

Mr Zahi El Chaar, UAE Country Manager General Motors at Bin Hamoodah Auto, with the Black Jersey Mark Stewart

STATISTICS

• Tim Merlier joins Tadej Pogacar as the most successful rider in UAE Tour’s history: they both count 4 stage wins.
• Tim Merlier is the first rider with 2 stage wins in 2 different editions of the UAE Tour. He won last year in Al Mirfa and Abu Dhabi and this year in Liwa and Dubai.
• Belgium is the first country with 6 stage wins at the UAE Tour, leaving Slovenia at 5 and Australia at 4.

TOMORROW’S STAGE – STAGE 5, AL AQAH-UMM AL QUWAIN, 182 KM – AL AQAH STAGE

The route

Starting from Al Aqah to reach Umm Al Quwain, the stage heads through the desert areas on the edge of the Hajar Mountains. Here it covers several stretches of motorway until reaching Umm al Quwain for the final sprint. The entire route takes place on wide, straight and well-paved roads through the desert.

Final kilometres

The final km is on a wide avenue that is slightly curved. The approach to the finish line is on asphalt.

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

#UAETOUR
www.theuaetour.com