Abu Dhabi Tour 2018: Kristoff wins 1st stage and takes lead

It's sprinters alert in the 1st stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour. At almost 190 kilometres, the route is pan-flat. With a slight headwind Alexander Kristoff outsprints Andrea Guardini and Caleb Ean on the line. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2018 Abu Dhabi Tour

1. Alexander Kristoff (nor)
2. Andrea Guardini (ita) s.t.
3. Caleb Ewan(aus) s.t.
4. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
5. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
6. Niccolo Bonifazzio (ita) s.t.
7. Michael Bresciani (ita) s.t.
8. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
9. Rudy Barbier (fra) s.t.
10. André Greipel (ger) s.t.

GC after 1st stage
1. Alexander Kristoff (nor)
2. Andrea Guardini (ita) + 0.04
3. Caleb Ewan (aus) + 0.06
4. Nikolay Trusov (rus) s.t.
5. Vincenzo Nibaleze (ita) s.t.
6. Tom Skujins (Let) + 0.07
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 0.09
8. Elia Viviani (ita) + 0.10
9. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
10. Niccolo Bonifazzio (ita) s.t.

Race report
The 1st stage of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Tour barely even started before Mark Cavendish crashes in the neutral zone. He tries to continue but abandons at km 6.

By then, a group of five riders felt it was time to stretch the legs. Charles Planet, Damiano Caruso, Toms Skujiņš, Vincenzo Albanese and Nikolay Trusov race to a maximum lead of 5 minutes before the peloton takes them on a leash.

With 20 kms to Caruso is the last remaining attacker. He holds on for 6 kms and then he is reeled in as well.

In the ensuing sprint Kristoff bests Guardini and Ewan to take the stage win and leader’s jersey.