This official close-up image from the photo finish camera at UAE Tour stage 1 shows just how close it was between Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny), with Merlier winning by a whisker.
Merlier's wheel, at the top of the image, just about touches the red finish line before Ewan's, though it was incredibly close at the end of 151km of racing to Al Mirfa today.
Both men were in the 12-rider group that stayed away to contest the stage victory. Ewan believed he had won the stage and celebrated, with Merlier initially congratulating him. However, it then became clear neither rider was absolutely certain who had won once the euphoria of the finish had passed.
TV viewers were left waiting for a very prolonged period before Merlier was declared winner. Many social media users were unable to call the outcome based on the first photo finish image released from the race and circulated online. However, this close-up image settles it.
Advertisement
"I’m really happy with this win," said Belgian champion Merlier after being confirmed winner and the first race leader of UAE Tour 2023. "I recently became a father and that gave me a lot of motivation.
Related News
"When the race is hard, I’m one of the strongest in the end and I believe I can win. We did a good job as a team, and also for the general classification. We were also racing for Remco (Evenepoel) today," he added of his world champion team mate who was in the winning breakaway that gained 51 seconds on the peloton.
"He was the strongest. He brought us to the win. Last year I had to wait for Tirreno-Adriatico to get my first victory, now I already have two victories this season - one the road and one in cyclo-cross."
Ewan said he was pleased to get back to the front of the race after an early puncture; flatting in the opening 2km as Bahrain Victorious was already driving the pace and the race was splintering in the crosswinds.
"I wouldn’t do anything different, really," the Australian said of the final sprint after making the breakaway. "I was almost fast enough but apparently not quite enough.
"Obviously, it’s disappointing to miss out on the stage win with such a narrow margin. But the main thing to take away is the fact that I was up there, which shows the good form I’m in and it’s only promising for the next sprint stages this week."
