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UAE Tour: Mathieu van der Poel wins stage 1 - Cyclingnews.com

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Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix)

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) wins stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Mathieu van der Poel won stage 1 at the UAE Tour

Mathieu van der Poel won stage 1 at the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Here comes Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix)

Here comes Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Arrival Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix Celebration Michael Morkov of Denmark and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Elia Viviani of Italy and Team Cofidis David Dekker of The Netherlands and Team JumboVisma Emils Liepins of Latvia and Team TrekSegafredo during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) out-sprinted David Dekker (Jumbo-Visma) and Michael Morkov (Deceuninck-QuickStep) (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

João Almeida finished ninth on stage 1 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Ineos Grenediers started the attacks early on the stage

Ineos Grenadiers on the front on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Tadej Pogacar made the front echelon on stage 1 of the UAE Tour

UAE Team Emirates riding in their home race (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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The desert winds at the UAE Tour blew sand across the road

The peloton ride through the sand on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Elbows were out at the UAE Tour

Echelons formed early on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Movistar tried to chase the echelon to help Alejandro Valverde

Movistar get to work on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Movistar missed the echelon at the UAE Tour

Movistar at the front of one of the echelons on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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The wind blew on stage 1 of the UAE Tour

The peloton split early on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Chris Froome on the podium at the UAE Tour

Chris Froome (Israel Start-Up Nation) (Image credit: Bettini Images)
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Mathieu van der Poel made his 2021 road racing debut at the UAE Tour

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix) making his road debut in 2021 (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Elia Viviani is back racing at the UAE Tour

Elia Viviani (Cofidis) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Chris Froome made his debut with Israel Start-Up Nation at the UAE Tour

Chris Froome in his new team colours at the start of 2021 (Image credit: Getty Images)
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It was hard at the back at the UAE Tour

The peloton split early on stage due to cross-winds (Image credit: Getty Images)
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It was hard at the back at the UAE Tour

Riders struggle to remain in contention at the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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The wind blew hard on stage 1 of the UAE Tour

The long flat roads and cross winds played havoc with the peloton on stage 1 (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates)

Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emiriates (Image credit: Getty Images)
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The wind blew hard at the UAE Tour

Stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

The bunch was blown to pieces by cross winds on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Crosswinds and long flat roads meant the peloton split on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

(Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Riders from several teams try and keep out of the gutter during exciting echelon racing in the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

David Dekker (Jumbo Visma) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

(Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Fenix (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Trouble for Ineos Grenadiers on stage 1 of the UAE Tour (Image credit: Getty Images)
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UAE Tour stage 1

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Nelson Powless (EF Education-Nippo) was in the attack

Neilson Powless of EF Education-Nippo (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Mattia Cattaneo went solo at the UAE Tour

Mattia Cattaneo of Deceuninck-QuickStep (Image credit: Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Trophy Mask Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Stage 1 winner Mathieu van der Poel arrives on the podium (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Trophy Mask Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Stage 1 winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) accepts trophy (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix Red Leader Jersey Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Trophy Mask Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Stage 1 winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix Green Points Jersey Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Trophy Mask Social distancing Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Stage 1 winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) in points jersey (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium David Dekker of The Netherlands and Team JumboVisma Best White Young Rider Jersey Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Trophy Mask Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

David Dekker of Jumbo-Visma receives best young rider jersey after stage 1 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
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ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 21 Podium Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Black Intermediate Sprint Jersey Celebration during the 3rd UAE Tour 2021 Stage 1 a 176km stage from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa Mask Covid Safety Measures UAETour on February 21 2021 in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

João Almeida of Deceuninck-QuickStep receives intermediate sprint jersey after stage 1 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) won a frantic, wind-affected, echelon-strewn opening stage of the UAE Tour.

The Dutchman out-spinted David Dekker (Jumbo-Visma) and Michael Mørkøv (Deceuninck-QuickStep) in a small, 23-man group that formed as crosswinds wreaked havoc on the race earlier in the stage. 

In the absence of top sprinters Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal), Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-QuickStep) and Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe), who had all been distanced earlier in the crosswinds, Van der Poel’s sprint was quick enough to claim his first win of the road season only three weeks after he won the cyclo-cross World Championships.

In the GC battle, João Almeida (Deceuninc-QuickStep), Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) emerged as early favourites after all of their major rivals were dumped out of overall contention in the wind. 

After eventually sitting up after a desperate chase in the wind, all the chasers, who had been separated into various smaller groups during the day, ultimately finished together in a large group eight and a half minutes down. Chris Froome was also in this group on his debut with Israel Start-Up Nation.

That brought an early end to the GC ambitions of several pre-race favourites, including: Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe), Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo), Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Victorious), and the Ineos Grenadiers duo Ivan Sosa and Daniel Martinez.

“Today was very windy and a very hard race”, explained Van der Poel at the finish, reflecting on a tough return to World Tour racing.

“After the intermediate sprint a big group went away, and I was able to catch them. It was a really hard race...I know that I can finish it off in the sprint, but I didn’t expect it at all. It’s really nice to begin the road season with a win.”

Despite having made the split, Van der Poel was not favourite to win the sprint, with Elia Viviani (Cofidis) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) also present in the lead group.

But both those sprinters, who endured such difficult seasons last year, continued to struggle to find their best legs, and Van der Poel was clearly the strongest after a tiring day in the saddle.

“When the race is really hard, my sprint gets better and better,” van der Poel explained.

“I knew that I had to be in a good position and start sprinting when I thought it was the right moment. [His teammate] Gianni Meersman did an amazing job to catch the guy who was away [Deceuninck-QuickStep’s Mattia Cattaneo, who tried a solo attack 6km from the finish], and I’m really happy to begin this way.”

It was a particularly impressive transition back to road racing for Van der Poel.

“ I didn’t really expect this. I took some rest, and then I trained one week with the team, and then I came here. I think this is cyclo-cross shape in the desert!”

How it unfolded

Following the Covid-related cancellation of the Tour Down Under, the 2021 World Tour finally got underway with the opening stage of the third UAE Tour, taking the riders from Al Dhafra Castle to the small village of Al Mirfa on the northern coast. 

In terms of terrain, the stage promised to be a relatively straightforward transition back into top level racing, thanks to a pan flat parcours without a single category climb. But, as is often the case in the remote desert landscapes of this country, strong winds on the exposed roads made for a frantic day of racing right from the outset.

Ineos Grenadiers caused the first split in the early crosswinds, catching out multiple overall contenders including Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo). An intense pursuit followed, and the groups eventually came back together following a change in direction.

The action was far from finished, however. After a brief period of downtime when the remaining chasers were able to bridge back up, Deceuninck-QuickStep moved to the front ahead of the day’s first intermediate sprint, 112km from the finish. As well as leading out their GC leader Joao Almeida for three bonus seconds, they caused new splits, with four sizable groups strewn out across the road in picturesque echelon formations.

While the chasing groups behind periodically expanded and split up, as groups joined together and tired riders dropped back, a leading group of 26 remained constant.

This group extended its lead over the main chasing group to around 1:20, and, despite the efforts of teams like Bora-Hansgrohe (working for their sprinter Pascal Ackermann), it remained more or less the same time.

The chase appeared to be lost as the riders reached the finishing circuit. As Almeida outsprinted Pogacar to again take the bonus seconds on the day’s second intermediate sprint at 38km to the finish, the gap to the chasers had suddenly grown to over two minutes, with the riders then throwing in the towel.

That left the leading group (now reduced to 23 after a few tired domestiques had dropped back) to contest the stage, and they maintained a relatively steady pace as the finish approached. 

Having been protagonists throughout the day, Deceuninck-QuickStep sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the final 10km with a series of attacks. 

After a couple of short-lived attempts from Fausto Masnada and then another rider, Mattia Cattaneo opened up a dangerous lead after he made a move 6km from the line.

He got a gap and went deep however he was brought back when Fernando Gaviria decided not to wait for the sprint and jumped out of the group. The Colombian made it up to Cattaneo’s wheel but the pair were subsequently brought back by the group in the final kilometre, setting up a sprint finish.

Viviani opened the sprint after Arcgbol’s lead out but faded as the line approached as Van der Poel, Dekker, Morkov and Emil Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) passed him to finish first, second, third and fourth respectively.

The few riders remaining in overall contention will now fight for every second in Monday’s 13km individual time trial at Al Hudayriat Island before the stage 3 finish on the Jebel Hafeet mountain finish. Van der Poel is likely to keep the leader’s red jersey with Pogacar, Yates and Almeida expected to go on to fight for overall victory during the week. 

Results
Pos. Rider Name (Country) Team Result
1 Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix 3:45:47
2 David Dekker (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
3 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Deceuninck-QuickStep
4 Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
5 Elia Viviani (Ita) Cofidis
6 Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
7 Anthony Roux (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
8 Chris Harper (Aus) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:03
9 João Almeida (Por) Deceuninck-QuickStep
10 Fausto Masnada (Ita) Deceuninck-QuickStep
General classification after stage 1
Pos. Rider Name (Country) Team Result
1 Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix 3:45:37
2 David Dekker (Ned) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:04
3 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:06
4 João Almeida (Por) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:07
5 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:08

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