Merlier strikes back
January 28 th 2025 - 18:31 [GMT + 3]
Victorious of two stages on last year’s Al Ula Tour, Tim Merlier started his 2025 campaign in style by conquering the opening stage of the event. As expected on this fairly flat day, the decision was made in a bunched sprint. After 6 riders enjoyed a long breakaway, the peloton bunched up together again once on the final circuit. Belgian specialist Tim Merlier of Soudal-Quickstep powered to the line beating Juan-Sebastian Molano of UAE Team Emirates - XRG and Maikel Zijlaard of Tudor. As well as his stage success, Merlier also conquers the first overall leader’s Green Jersey.
After a splendid opening ceremony yesterday evening at Thanaya, it was time for racing as the 118 riders gathered by the old Al Manshiyah train Station for the start of stage 1. On the menu of the day: a 142-km loop going through some of the picturesque sites of the Al Ula region. The peloton of this 2025 edition took off just before 1 PM in ideal weather conditions and not too much wind.
6 MEN IN THE LEAD
After five kilometres, six riders managed to power away from the bunch. In this entirely Asian breakaway were the following riders: Alexandre Vinokourov (XAT) from Kazakhstan, Al Abdulmunim and Al Kulaif (SAU) from Saudi Arabia, Yamamoto (JCL) from Japan, Rosli (TSG) from Malaysia and Thimachai (ROI) of Thailand. The front six enjoyed a gap of 1’35” at km, that then reached a maximum 2’10” five kilometres later when the sprinter’s teams (Jayco-AlUla, Tudor and Soudal-Quickstep) decided to take on the chase.
4 SURVIVORS AFTER MARAYA
The first Intermediate Active Sprint at km 73 was claimed by Muhammad Rosli while the pack had moved closer at 1’30”. The situation changed as the front group entered the spectacular Ashar Valley. On the steep climb just after passing by the impressive Maraya Concert Hall, the two Saudi riders were dropped and eventually caught, leaving just four men in the lead. The pack carried on increasing the pace and was within shooting distance as it entered the final circuit.
KRISTOFF AND DE KLEIJN CRASH
While Masaki Yamamoto was the last escapee to be caught, the peloton bunched up together again just after the first passage on the line with around fifteen kilometres to go. At the second crossing on the line, the bonus sprint of the day was claimed by Dversnes (Uno X Mobility) ahead of Reinders (Wagner Bazin WB) and Van den Broek (Picnic Post.nl). Under the control of the sprinter’s teams, the pack remained compact until the final moments. With five kilometres to go, a crash saw stage contenders Alexander Kristoff (Uno X Mobility) and Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor) hit the ground.
MERLIER UNTOUCHABLE
No further incidents troubled the pack before the final showdown. Well led out by his Soudal-Quickstep team mates, Tim Merlier launched his sprint from far out never to be overtaken. The Belgian 32-year-old crossed the line victoriously ahead of Colombian Juan-Sebastian Molano and promising Dutchman Maykel Zijlaard (Tudor). Thanks to his first success of the season, the 51st of his career, Tim Merlier, the reigning European Champion captured the overall leader’s Green Jersey. He also leads the points classification while Frank Van Den Broek (Picnic Post.nl) claims the best young rider’s White Jersey. Malaysia’s Rosli takes command of the Most Active rider classification thanks to the five points he collected on the day.
