Caleb Ewan has won the first stage of the Saudi Tour after the Lotto Soudal sprinter turned out to be by far the fastest in the final sprint in the opening stage to and from Winter Park.
The Australian kicked past Martin Laas (Bora-hansgrohe) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) at the Saudi Tour opener on Tuesday.
“There is no better way to kick off the season,” Ewan said after a multi-bike length win. “Of course, I am super happy to start the year this way but I am even more impressed by how the team worked for me today. They just did the perfect job.”
“They delivered me towards the finish line just perfectly. I only had to sprint for 100 metres. That is why this victory is one of the entire Lotto Soudal team,” Ewan said.
“Obviously, we wanted to win today. But the first time with a partly new lead-out is always exciting, but all credits to newcomers Rüdiger Selig and Jarrad Drizners. They did a great job immediately integrating into the team and together with the other guys, they brought me to the finish line just perfectly. It is nice to see all the hard work during winter immediately rewarded.”
Saudi Tour continues with a stage to Taibah University for an uphill finish Wednesday.
