In a strange finish, Mexican Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) easily outpaced his rivals to take the victory on the opening stage of the 2016 UAE Tour, a 118-kilometer course that was shortened due to strong winds.
The Mexican secured his first win of the season, proving the fastest in the sprint ahead of Dutchman Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Italian Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain – Victorious), who finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Just a few kilometers from the finish, one of the day’s favorites, Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek), was involved in a crash, ending his chances of fighting for the win.
As for the Colombians, the best of ours was Harold Tejada (XDS Astana Team) from Huila, finishing 21st, just behind Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe), both with the same time as the winner.
Other Colombian riders participating in the race finished as follows: Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) 26th, Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana Team) 39th, and Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) 64th, all without losing time to del Toro.
The UAE Tour continues this Tuesday with the second stage, a completely flat 12.2-kilometer time trial on Hudayriyat Island.
UAE Tour (2.UWT)
Results Stage 1 | Madinat Zayed Majlis – Liwa Palace (118 km)
| 1 | Isaac del Toro | UAE Team Emirates – XRG | 2:30:56 |
| 2 | Cees Bol | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | ,, |
| 3 | Antonio Tiberi | Bahrain – Victorious | ,, |
| 4 | Matteo Malucelli | XDS Astana Team | ,, |
| 5 | Alessandro Romele | XDS Astana Team | ,, |
| 6 | Ilan Van Wilder | Soudal Quick-Step | ,, |
| 7 | Riley Pickrell | Modern Adventure Pro Cycling | ,, |
| 8 | Lennert Van Eetvelt | Lotto Intermarché | ,, |
| 9 | Ethan Vernon | NSN Cycling Team | ,, |
| 10 | Tobias Halland Johannessen | Uno-X Mobility | ,, |
Ranking General
| 1 | Isaac del Toro | UAE Team Emirates – XRG | 2:30:46 |
| 2 | Cees Bol | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | 0:04 |
| 3 | Antonio Tiberi | Bahrain – Victorious | 0:06 |
| 4 | Jonathan Milan | Lidl – Trek | 0:07 |
| 5 | Ben Tulett | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 0:08 |
| 6 | Lennert Van Eetvelt | Lotto Intermarché | 0:09 |
| 7 | Matteo Malucelli | XDS Astana Team | 0:10 |
| 8 | Alessandro Romele | XDS Astana Team | ,, |
| 9 | Ilan Van Wilder | Soudal Quick-Step | ,, |
| 10 | Riley Pickrell | Modern Adventure Pro Cycling | ,, |
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico