Boomerang Cavendish always bounces back

All-time best sprinter in the world wins in Abu Dhabi, Philipsen, second, retains lead
Todays’ stage video highlights are available to download below (digital media only / NO broadcast)
Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 21 February 2022 – Mark Cavendish rode to victory again in the United Arab Emirates, at the fourth edition of the UAE Tour, organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, four years after his last victory at the Dubai Tour. He made the best of another hotly contested bunch gallop in which Stage 1 winner Jasper Philipsen finished second in a very tight finish while Pascal Ackermann brought UAE Team Emirates back under the spotlight as he came third at Abu Dhabi Breakwater. The Belgian from Alpecin-Fenix retained the leader’s jersey ahead of the 9km individual time trial in Ajman with an advantage of four seconds over escape artist Dmitrii Strakhov who collected six seconds of bonuses throughout the intermediate sprints for the second day in a row.

H.E. Osama Ahmed Abdullah Al Shafar, UCI Vice-President, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Ibrahim, International Holding Company Head of Corporate Communication and Media, and H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council awarded the Red Jersey to Jasper Philipsen

PRESS CONFERENCE
The stage winner Mark Cavendish said: “Very happy winning here at the UAE Tour. I’ve carried on racing my bike this year because i know there are more wins in me. I’m particularly happy to win here because it’s a hub for cycling. Lots of people have started riding and the infrastructure of more than 1000km for bikes here have been recognised by the UCI. Today’s stage was a celebration of the bike track. As long as I still love it, I’m gonna ride a bike.”

The Red Jersey Jasper Philipsen said: “It was a hectic sprint so it was hard to get a full lead out. I had to start from a bit too far out. I didn’t have the watts in the end. It’s incredible what Mark Cavendish has achieved. At this moment I’m hoping he retires because I’ve already been second to him eight or nine times. It’s still an honour to sprint against a legend like him.”

Data collected by Velon’s devices on the riders’ bikes tells a detailed story of the stage. An infographic about today’s stage can be downloaded here.

TOMORROW’S STAGE
Stage 3 – G42 Stage presented by Tissot – Ajman ITT (9km)

TV COVERAGE
The UAE Tour International TV Schedule is available here.

UAE TOUR APP
Download the official UAE Tour App now and stay updated on the race, riders’ timings and everything that’s happening during the stage:
•    IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ae/app/uae-tour/id1451821362?mt=8
•     Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.rcs.uaetour

UAE TOUR PRESS ROOM
The media can download high resolution pictures of the race from the official online pressroom. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press / password: press), select “Media”, then “Cycling”, then UAE Tour. The photos are free of charge for editorial use, as long as both the UAE Tour and the photographer’s name are credited.

Photo Credits: Yasser Abras
Photo Credit: LaPresse