Soudal-Quick Step wins second battle in the team time trial of the UAE Tour | UAE Tour 2023

Soudal-Quick Step, Ineos and Bahrain Victorious had made the biggest impression in yesterday’s fan stage and were also put forward as big favorites for the team time trial.

EF-EasyPost, on the other hand, had little chance on paper. Without really big stars, but with a good team spirit and motivated by the strong start of the team this season (with already 10 victories) they were allowed to sit in the hotseat almost all the time.

When Ineos (at 3 seconds) and Bahrain (at 4 seconds) found their master in the American formation and the interim of Soudal-Quick Step was also disappointing, the dream of the boys of EF gradually started to come true.

But in the final, Remco Evenepoel once again emphatically interfered. The speed went up considerably, his teammates could just keep his wheel. But it worked out well: the gap of 10 seconds halfway became a gain of 1 second.

Heartbreak for the EF gang, but at The Wolfpack they were roaring with joy. Because Tim Merlier let it run in the last kilometer, the red leader’s jersey just doesn’t stay in the team. Luke Plapp is tied with Evenepoel thanks to yesterday’s bonus seconds, but he is the new leader as he finished just ahead of Evenepoel yesterday.