Cycling: Surprise at the start of the former Saudi Tour. Casper van Uden won the bunch sprint on the first stage of the AlUla Tour ahead of Dylan Groenewegen and Tim Merlier.
Casper van Uden steals the train from Molano
Many big names grace the start list of the 2024 AlUla Tour, including many strong sprinters. However, at the end of the first stage, a 22-year-old talent stood atop the podium near the Al Manshiya Train Station. Casper van Uden (dsm-firmenich PostNL) defeated his fellow Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco – AlUla) and Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal – Quick-Step) in the mass sprint. A significant contribution to Casper van Uden's first professional victory came from his teammate John Degenkolb (dsm-firmenich PostNL). The German rider perfectly positioned his captain and even gave him hand signals. The eventual stage winner then stole the wheel of his lead-out man's lead-out man from his sprint rival Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE), thus setting himself up perfectly for the sprint.
AlUla Tour: Tomorrow it will be hilly
With his stage win, Casper van Uden (dsm-firmenich PostNL) also takes the lead in the overall standings of the former Saudi Tour. However, defending the leader's jersey tomorrow will likely be very challenging for him. The 199,1-kilometer stage from AlUla Winter Park to the Sharaan Nature Reserve ends with a short climb. This is where we should see the punchy riders in action. Among the favorites are Davide Formolo (Movistar), Finn Fisher-Black (UAE), Fred Wright (Bahrain – Victorious), Simon Yates (Jayco – AlUla), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe). The five-day tour through Saudi Arabia concludes on Saturday at the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayride.
#replay / #AlUlaTour
The premier sprint of the AlUla Tour was presented by the young man Casper van Uden (DFT) who offered the luxury battle of Dylan Groenewegen (JAY) and Tim Merlier (SOQ).Not before the beautiful remontée of Dusan Rajovic (TBV). pic.twitter.com/47vevqY03k
— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) January 30, 2024