The first stage of the UAE Tour caused damage.
Sprinter Tim Merlier scored a third success since the start of the season.
After a little over 3 hours of racing, the leader of the Soudal Quick-Step won strongly, with a bike lead, ahead of Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor) and Jakub Mareczko (Corractec).
The Belgian took the leader's jersey at the same time, while behind him a fall sent several riders to the mat, 200 m from the line.
“A victory is always nice, but getting my first victory of the season in the World Tour is even nicer,” said the new red jersey after the race.
I made the right decision to change sides of the road 500 m from the finish.
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🇧🇪 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗥, 𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗔́𝗦 𝗥𝗔́𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗢 𝗘𝗡 𝗨𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗢́ 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗢 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟.
💥 Hubo dos caídas masivas, Gaviria quiso saltar antes aprovechando el desconcierto...
Así acabó la 1ª etapa del UAE Tour que viste en @eurosport_es #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/m7P5tc4LjS
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 19, 2024
Because on the other side, a big fall took place.
Among the riders who went to the ground, two Astana Qazaqstan teammates, Harold Tejada and Michele Gazzoli, were forced to share a bike together to cross the finish line.
The Colombian was forced to ride at the front of Gazzoli's machine to finish the stage holding his bike with one hand.
Read alsoCycling: Johannessen celebrates too early, Martinez beats him… The improbable finish at the Classic Var
A rather surprising image, which testifies to the violence of the fall.
Mark Cavendish, the leader of Astana, found himself on the ground, as did Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers).
The Belgian Milan Fretin, runner of the Cofidis, was not able to start again.
🇦🇪 VIDEO: @uae_tour
Medical update and details from @haroldtejada1 after his crash on the finish line of Stage 1 ⬇️#UAETour #AstanaQazaqstanTeam
🎥 Astana Qazaqstan/@eurosport/@discoveryplus pic.twitter.com/tyybcGNQYK
— Astana Qazaqstan Team (@AstanaQazTeam) February 19, 2024
The second stage, Tuesday February 20, will create a gap between the favorites for the general with an individual time trial of 12.1 km.