PARIS – First race of 2022, first success: the Belgian from the Alpecin-Fenix team Jasper Philipsen got off to an ideal start to his season by winning the first stage of the Tour of the United Arab Emirates in a sprint on Sunday, the first WorldTour race of the cycling season, and put on the red leader’s jersey.
He beat Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) during this 185 km stage around Madinat Zayed, where everything was decided in the final.
Philipsen thus won the 15th success of his career at the age of 23.
Tadej Pogacar, defending champion who is making his comeback on the Tour of the United Arab Emirates, finished 27th, just 10 seconds behind the winner.
Like the other favorites (Adam Yates, Joao Almeida, Tom Dumoulin, Aleksandr Vlasov…), he is waiting for the more rugged stages, scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday to distinguish himself.
The sprinters were expected in this largely flat first stage and everything was settled in the final packing at the end of an interminable straight line of more than 50 km in the Emirati desert.
Philipsen managed to pull out of the game after a disjointed and muscular sprint, where Dylan Groenewegen, double stage winner on the Saudi Tour two weeks ago, notably seemed embarrassed by the Belgian. Deported to the right and brushing the barriers, he failed at the foot of the podium.
“It’s good to win immediately and take the pressure off,” rejoiced Philipsen just after the finish.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing and trying to repeat what we did today,” added the Belgian, who notably distinguished himself last year by winning the 5th stage of the Vuelta and finishing 2nd. on three stages of the Tour de France.
On Monday, the second stage of the Tour of the United Arab Emirates should also smile on the sprinters. It will take the peloton between Hudayriyat Island and Abu Dhabi Breakwater over 173 km.
