Jumbo-Visma wins the opening TTT
There were only two U-turns to slow down the teams on the purpose-built cycle track just outside Abu Dhabi. With the speeds hitting 55 km/h, Jumbo-Visma took an early lead. They had a long wait in the hot seat as no one was able to beat them. Team Sunweb with Tom Dumoulin was the only one able to come close and took 7 seconds longer to complete the course. Bahrain-Merida finished third with a loss of 9 seconds.
“A lot of the guys will also be at the Giro, so from my side I think it’s important to look at yourself and try to be on the best level with preparation and with yourself,” Roglič said after the stage. “It’s the only thing I can influence. So I don’t really bother too much with the rest of the guys.”
Is the opening TTT a sign of things to come? Will Roglič make his mark on the Italian Grand Tour as well? It’s bound to be interesting.
UAE Tour 2019 Stage 1 (16km TTT)
1. Jumbo-Visma (Ned), 16:49
2. Sunweb (Ger) + 7s
3. Bahrain-Merida (BRN) + 9 s
4. . Team-Sky (Gbr) + 14s
5. Movistar (Esp) + 19s
6. CCC Team (Pol) + 24s
7. Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Bel) + 26s
8. EF Education First (USA) + 26 s
9. Bora-Hansgrohe (Ger) + 29s
10. Dimension Data (RSA) + 29s
