Sebastian Molano showed a quick turn of pace to finish a close second on stage 1 of the AlUla Tour which got underway in Saudi Arabia today. Stage 1 took the riders on a flat loop around the ancient oasis city of AlUla, starting and finishing at Al Manshiyah Train Station (142.7km).

As the speed increased in the final kilometres, Molano, guided by his trusted leadout man Ivo Oliveira placed himself onto the wheel of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quickstep), though the kick from the Belgian would prove too strong and he would stay clear for victory with Molano behind in a close 2nd.

 

On the final run-in there was a crash inside -5km involving several riders including Rafal Majka and Adria Pericas who both came down. Majka was the worse-off of the pair with an impact to his ribs and some abrasions to his right knee. Both riders finished the stage and are expected to be okay for tomorrow's stage 2 from AlUla Old Town to Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah (157.7km).

 

Molano: 'It was a very fast finish. I knew Merlier would be the man the watch and I managed to get on his wheel on the final straight.

 

He was very strong today and I couldn't get around him. I'm satisfied with the result although I'm eager and hungry to get the first win of the season on the board. Overall I'm happy with my shape and I'll be looking for more opportunities this week. We had a couple of our guys caught up in a crash at the end but hopefully it's nothing too serious and we'll live to fight another day.'

 

AlUla Tour stage 1 & GC

 

1.Tim Merlier (Soudal Quickstep)  3:10:21

 

2.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t

 

3.Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor Pro Cycling) s.t

 

Meanwhile in the UAE, the Gen Z team took their first triumph of the season on home soil at the Tour of Sharjah with young Italian Davide Stella quickest to the line on the stage 5 sprint finish from Heritage Village, AlHamriya to Al Jada, Sharjah (121.87km).

 

The win concluded a successful race for the Emirati squad with Belgian Duarte Marivoet taking the white jersey for best young rider and Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali taking the prize for best UAE rider.