The cyclists were visibly alone in the desert in Saudi Arabia this Wednesday.
During the Al-Ula Tour, going from Winter Park to the Sharaan nature reserve in the northwest of the country, a small tornado allowed itself to cross the road just in front of the peloton.
A rather crazy scene which did not prevent the runners from continuing the competition.
🌪️ When a tornado appears in the middle of the AlUla Tour stage 👀#AlUlaTour #HomeOfCycling pic.twitter.com/prrewF6THZ
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) January 31, 2024
At the end of the 199 km race, the Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X) took first place, and at the same time the head of the general classification, having concluded the first stage in fourth position.
He is ahead of the Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan (Astana Qazaqstan) and the Dutchman Nils Eekhoff (DSM) respectively on the finish line.
On the French side, Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) finished the race in fourth place and Pierre Latour (Total Énergies), despite having made a good comeback a few kilometers from the finish, finished this stage in ninth position.
The next meeting is this Thursday for the third stage which will go from the airport in the city of Al-Ula to the usual Camel Cup circuit.
The event will end on Saturday February 3 at the end of the fifth stage of the competition.