Abu Dhabi Tour 2017: Cav outpowers Greipel to take take leaders jersey

The 1st stage in the Abu Dhabi Tour is played out on gently rolling roads through the desert. The race boils down to a bunch sprint with Mark Cavendish outsprinting André Greipel. The Briton is the first overall leader in the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Abu Dhabi Tour

1. Mark Cavendish (gbr)
2. André Greipel (ger) s.t.
3. Andrea Guardini (ita) s.t.
4. Simone Consonni (ita) s.t.
5. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
6. Roger Klüge (ger) s.t.
7. Alexander Porsev (rus) s.t.
8. Matto Pelucchi (ita) s.t.
9. Nicola Ruffoni (ita) s.t.
10. Eduard Michael Grosu (rum) s.t.

GC after 1st stage
1. Mark Cavendish (gbr)
2. André Greipel (ger) + 0.04
3. Manuele Mori (ita) s.t.
4. Nicolo Bonifazio (ita) + 0.06
5. Mirco Maestri (ita) + 0.08
6. Kazushige Kuboki (jap) s.t.
7. Simone Consonni (ita) + 0.10
8. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
9. Roger Klüge (ger) s.t.
10. Alexander Porsev (rus) s.t.

Race report
Shortly after the start six riders break clear. Zakharov, Maestri, Ershow, Kuboki, Mori and Lozano race to a maximum lead of 5 minutes.

Zakharov and Mori are the last riders to be reeled in with 16 kms remaining.

Contador hits the tarmac with 4 kms to go, but he is brought back in time by his team-mates. Another crash destroys Marcel Kittel's and Caleb Ewan's ambitions for today's win.

As expected the race boils down to a clash of the (remaining) fast men. Mark Cavendish outpowers André Greipel and takes the first leaders jersey.

Tomorrow brings another chance for the sprinters.