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Updated 2024-02-26 05:57:32
Lennert Van Eetvelt finished in style with a stage/overall classification double by just...two seconds.
Marked by a nervous second part due to the wind, this stage came down to the final difficulty, the climb to Jebel Hafeet (10.9km at 6.7%), the scene of a superb suspenseful finale.
The red leader's jersey in the general classification would pass over the shoulders of three riders during this stage. Worn by Jay Vine at the start of today's stage, it was lost with 7 kilometres to go to Australian Ben'O Connor, who seemed destined to win the precious jersey, especially as he looked solid in the climb. But that was without counting on the determination of the young and powerful Lennert, who decided to attack with 1.8 kilometres to go. He flew away to stage victory, giving everything he had under his pedals, spurred on by his team who knew there was a chance. His last-ditch effort was rewarded as he won the stage and overall classification of this sixth UAE Tour by just two seconds.
Retrospectively, the team and the rider can congratulate themselves on having gained three bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint.
Following his victory in the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca at the end of January, Lotto-Dstny's new Belgian prodigy offers his team and Ekoï a superb double in a World Tour event.
Statement from the winner: "Before the climb (...) I got stuck. I had the feeling I'd lost the race, but fortunately we got back into the first group just before Jebel Hafeet (...) I expected the race to be harder before the last two kilometres. But I played it all or nothing. On Wednesday, on the Jebel Jais, I was disappointed to have waited too long, so today I started quite early. I'm very happy to win the overall."
EKOÏ gear : AR14 helmet and Premium90 sunglasses
Notable results for the rider: Alpes Isère Tour 2023 (Overall + stages 4 and 5) - Sibiu Cycling Tour (stage2) - Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana 2024
photo credit: photonews
