Tulett eleventh in shortened opening stage UAE Tour

# Tulett Secures 11th Place in Modified Stage One of UAE Tour

In a dramatic start to the UAE Tour, the season’s second WorldTour stage race, riders faced altered conditions due to strong winds. The opening stage, which was initially planned to cover 144 kilometers, was shortened to 118 kilometers finishing at the scenic Liwa Palace. The decision to cut nearly thirty kilometers from the route was made to ensure the safety of all participants.

The race began with a flat course, culminating in an uphill final kilometer. Silvan Dillier was the only rider to attempt an early breakaway but was caught with about thirty kilometers to go. As the peloton approached the intermediate sprint, Ben Tulett seized the moment, finishing second behind Jonathan Milan and earning crucial bonus seconds.

As the riders geared up for an expected bunch sprint, the peloton was thrown into disarray when a crash took down several competitors, including Milan, a strong favorite for the stage victory. This paved the way for Isaac Del Toro, who sprinted to the finish line first, clinching both the stage win and the leader’s jersey. Tulett crossed the line shortly thereafter in eleventh place, securing a fifth position in the overall general classification.

Reflecting on the day, Tulett expressed, “We took the initiative and were rewarded along the way with two bonus seconds.” The 21-year-old rider highlighted the nervousness that enveloped the peloton due to the high winds. “During the race, we were informed that the stage was being shortened, so we had to adapt quickly. We did that very well as a team,” he noted. Tulett acknowledged his tactical error, stating, “In the sprint, I went to the front a bit too early, which cost me in the end. A finish like this suits me well, so there was definitely more possible.”

Looking ahead, Tulett remains optimistic. “We can look back positively on this stage. There are still plenty of challenges in this race. We’re aiming for a strong result in the overall standings. Tomorrow’s time trial will be a first test. We’ve also circled stages three and five in red. I came here highly motivated, so I’m looking forward to fighting for the win together with my teammates,” he concluded.

The competition continues with the next stage featuring a twelve-kilometer individual time trial, which will further test the riders’ abilities in this prestigious event.