Emirates News Agency – Belgian “Tim Merler” champion of the first stage of the Emirates Tour

ABU DHABI, 20th February 2020 (WAM) — Belgian Tim Merler of the Belgian (Sodel Quick-Step) team took a hard-fought victory today in the first stage of the fifth edition of the Tour of the Emirates, “Presight”. Global racing in the Middle East, “amid strong competition from elite riders and candidates. Introduced by Australian Caleb Ewan and British Mark Cavendish.

After Tim Merler completed the 151km race in 3:17:35 hours, he took the first stage title with the smallest time difference between him and Australian Caleb Ewan of the Belgian “Lotto Destiny” team. Cycle Legend is complete. Mark Cavendish Ryder (Astana Kazakhstan) was third.

Tim Merler won two jerseys at the end of the race as he wore the red jersey sponsored by the “International Holding Company” and the green jersey sponsored by the “Italian Trade Agency”, while Enos Grandaris’ look flopped. The team got the white jersey he deserved. It was sponsored by “Al Naqeel Company” and awarded to the best young cyclist under the age of 23, and the black jersey was awarded to the leader sponsored by “Abu Dhabi Experience”. Medium speed position.

The second leg of the event will be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with a 17.3 km race against the clock at the “Abu Dhabi Ports” facility.
Aref Hamad Al-Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Ibrahim Al-Marar, Director of the Government Coordination Office at the Ruler’s Representative Court in Al-Tafra Region, and Xtang Zhuo, Head of Technology, won. At Briseit, International Holding Company Marketing Director Ahmed Ibrahim and Al-Tafra Police Representative Major General Saeed Al-Mansoori, Al-Naqeel Company Procurement Executive Director Khaled Al-Shehi and Talib Al-Sharifi, Deputy Director of Traffic and Patrols in Al Tafra Region.

After winning the first stage of the Emirates Tour, champion Tim Merler said: “I’m very happy to have achieved this victory and it’s timed. I recently became a father, which gave me the motivation to compete. Although it was a tough competition, I was able to persevere until the end.”

He added, “We did a good job as a team and for the general classification. We raced with Remco Evenpol today because he was always strong and inspired us to win.”
Khalifa Port races this stage on a very fast track with few turns and only two U-shaped courses.
The track for this stage is characterized by its width and flatness, which allows international riders to achieve good times while maintaining high speed.

It is noteworthy that the Emirates Tour starts in Abu Dhabi and ends through seven stages covering a total of 1028 km.