Cycling: The ASO and the UCI did not cover themselves in glory today. The second stage of the AlUla Tour was cancelled in the last 30 kilometers due to poor road conditions. It was only in the last five kilometers that the pros were allowed to fight for the day's victory. Tom Pidcock ultimately secured this.
Pidcock wins ahead of Kepplinger
There is nothing that doesn't exist. What we had to experience today on the second stage of the AlUla Tour over 157,7 kilometers from Old Town to Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah is something we have probably never seen in a professional cycling race. Around 30 kilometers from the finish, the race management decided to temporarily neutralize the race. The reason? Bad road conditions! The race was only allowed to resume in the last five kilometers. In the uphill sprint, tom pidcock (Q36.5) and thus secure the first win of the season for his new team. Austria's Rainer Kepplinger (Bahrain – Victorious) drove ahead of the South African Alan Hatherley (Jayco – AlUla) in second place.
It's a first win for Tom Pidcock on Q36.5 after leaving Ineos Grenadiers!
The Brit smashed it away late on and held on ahead of Rainer Kepplinger and fellow Olympic MTB medal winner Alan Hatherly#AlUlaTour pic.twitter.com/lUyqPoOUOs
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) January 29, 2025