2022 UAE Tour: Stage 1 Results

Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen took his first ever stage victory at the 2022 UAE Tour as he successfully out-sprinted a star-studded field of fast men in the bunch sprint at the end of Stage 1, the Al Ain Water Stage.

Sam Bennett, Elia Viviani, and Dylan Groenewegen surrendered after the Alpecin-Fenix rider launched his sprint from far out, taking advantage of the tailwind. He claimed three of the four distinctive race jerseys: GC, points and best young rider, while breakaway rider Dmitrii Strakhov of Gazprom–RusVelo took the Black Jersey of the intermediate sprints. It was all together again with 20km to go before the highly awaited first bunch sprint of the year in the UCI WorldTour.

Jasper Philipsen said in the press conference: “This victory makes this a really great start to the season. Everything went perfectly. We had a tailwind at the end. When it’s a headwind, you can gamble and come later, but today we knew the speed was high. I’m happy we could find a gap, so I could sprint as I wanted. To be first on the line was a great feeling. I started my career with UAE Team Emirates but I couldn’t race here until I changed team in order to focus more on sprinting and riding the classics. It’s a great race here with a very high level of sprinters. It’s important to start the season well in the UAE.”

2022 UAE Tour: Stage 1 Brief Results

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), 184km in 4h42’34”, average speed 39.070km/h
2. Sam Bennett (BORA – Hansgrohe) s.t.
3. Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 1

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix)
2. Sam Bennett (BORA – Hansgrohe) at 4″
3. Dmitrii Strakhov (Gazprom–RusVelo) st.

Official Jerseys

Red Jersey, General Classification. Sponsor: International Holding Company – Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix)
Green Jersey, Points Classification. Sponsor: Italian Trade Agency (ICE) – Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), worn by Sam Bennett (BORA – hansgrohe)
White Jersey, Young Rider Classification. Sponsor: Nakheel – Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), worn by Xandres Vervloesem (Lotto Soudal)
Black Jersey, Intermediate Sprint Classification. Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Aviation – Dmitrii Strakhov (Gazprom–RusVelo)

Tomorrow’s Stage

Stage 2 – International Holding Company Stage – Hudayriyat Island – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (176km)

A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. It departs from Hudayriat Island and runs in its first part in Abu Dhabi to reach the Sheikh Zayed Bridge (arch. Zaha Hadyd) and then to Khalifa City. After the halfway point at Al Wathba Camel Track, the route passes by Al Falah to converge on Yas Marina and head to Saadiyat Island and the Corniche before reaching Abu Dhabi Breakwater, where a bunch sprint is expected.