Simon Yates gave AlUla sponsor a prestigious win in the AlUla Tour. New Soudal-Quick Step pro William Junior Leserv rode a strong stage, but eventually had to bow to Yates in a sprint with the four of us. The Briton is also the overall winner of the Saudi stage race, ahead of Leserve.
The first four days of the AlUla Tour were mainly for the fast guys, but the final stage from Hurra Awirid’s point of view was a different story.
17% and 12.5% intermediate sections: these were the components of the final climb.
Simon Yates has made sure that only the best climbers stay in first gear. William Jr. Leserv later responded to this attack with an escape attempt of his own.
Although Leserv fell backwards, his actions ensured he was able to join Yates and his UAE Team UAE teammates Finn Fischer-Black and Rafal Majka as they started from the top of the plateau to the finish.
This gave us a fast race for the day and overall victory, because Yates, LeServe and Fisher-Black were still in the running for it. Leserv chose to hold the tightrope to Yates' right. It came close, but not close enough.
Following Maxime van Gils, who was on the verge of a second Belgian win in the 2022 Saudi stage race, but only on the first stage of his race as a full professional, the 21-year-old Leserve presented his calling card.
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