UAE Team Emirates’ Alexander Kristoff won the opening stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour, while Team Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish crashed out in Madinat Zayed today.
Kristoff’s winning time was 4:48:24. He was followed home by Bardiani CSF’s Andrea Guardini and Mitchelton-Scott’s Caleb Ewan.
“It’s a great win for me and the team, on home ground,” said Kristoff, who leads the race going into stage two.
“It takes the pressure off now and it’s a really nice feeling. I’m really proud to get the win, my second win of the season. It’s a great feeling to start off like this in a new team.”
Cavendish’s team was dealt a massive blow when he was involved in a crash in the neutral zone and had to abandon the tour.
“Mark sustained a concussion and a whiplash injury after his crash today. Due to the concussion, we were not willing to risk rider safety and the call was made for Mark to stop the race,” said team doctor Adrian Rotunno.
The African team’s main focus will now be down to securing a high overall result.
Team Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish crashed out on stage one of the Abu Dhabi Tour today. Photo: Stiehl Photography
Stage one results
1. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 4:48:24
2. Andrea Guardini (Bardiani CSF)
3. Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott)
4. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors)
5. Daniel McLay (EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale)
6. Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida)
7. Michael Bresciani (Bardiani CSF)
8. Danny van Poppel (LottoNL-Jumbo)
9. Rudy Barbier (AG2R La Mondiale)
10. André Greipel (Lotto Soudal)
General classification
1. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 4:48:14
2. Andrea Guardini (Bardiani CSF) +4″
3. Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) +6″
4. Nikolay Trusov (Gazprom-Rusvelo)
5. Vincenzo Albanese (Bardiani CSF)
6. Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) +7″
7. Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team) +9″
8. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) +10″
9. Daniel McLay (EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale)
10. Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida)
