Jesse Ewart, the Australian-born Irish rider plying his trade with Terengganu Cycling Team, has opened his new season with a stage victory and yellow jersey in a UCI-ranked stage race in the United Arab Emirates.
It is the first victory by an Irish rider of the 2024 campaign, with 29-year-old also very much in contention to win the race overall with two stages remaining.
Ewart, who was born in Australia and declared for Ireland five years ago through his Northern Irish routes, has now won seven UCI-ranked races during his career, including twice claiming the overall at Tour de Singkarak (2.2) in Indonesia.
Ewart took the opening stage of Tour of Sharjah (2.2) on Friday when he led in a three-man breakaway after 134km of racing from Sharjah Fort to Kalba Fort.
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He beat Anass Aït El Abdia (Abu Dhabi Cycling Club) and Eric Manizabayo (Rwanda) in the final dash to the line just five seconds ahead of a 90-rider bunch, also securing the first yellow jersey of the race.
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On Saturday's stage 2 - some 138km into Ajman Makan - Ewart finished in 15th place, from a 26-rider group sprinting for victory. The stage was won by Pierre Barbier (Philippe Wagner-Bazin), who also took over the yellow jersey from Ewart by three seconds.
On Sunday the riders faced a 10.12km TT around Old Sharjah Corniche. Slovenian rider Gal Glivar (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) claimed victory, in a time of 12:22, with Ewart placing 7th at 22 seconds.
There is no stage today, though the race continues with two road stages on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ewart is currently 2nd overall, nine seconds down on TT winner Glivar.
