The National Times - Two in a row for Merlier at UAE Tour

Weather - Sydney 24°C

Two in a row for Merlier at UAE Tour

SPORTS 22.02.2025

Two in a row for Merlier at UAE Tour / Photo: © AFP

Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier came from deep to win a bunch finish on stage six of the UAE Tour at Abu Dhabi Breakwater on Saturday meaning he and the Italian Jonathan Milan both have two stage wins in a race packed with fast men.

Change text size:

Merlier won Friday's stage while Milan won the opener and stage four, and leads the sprint points race with 65pts to Merlier's 56.

Merlier finished just ahead of compatriot Jasper Philipsen in second. Milan was in third after a 176km romp around Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City and Yas Island.

"It might have looked easy but believe me I suffered," said Merlier after his seventh career win in the UAE.

"A kilometre from the line, I didn't think I'd make it, beating lads like Jonathan and Jasper is always important," he said.

Cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar leads the overall standings ahead of Sunday's final mountain stage which culminated with a climb of 10km at steep 8-10 percent gradients.

Racing for the local outfit Team UAE, Pogacar built his lead by finishing close to time-trial winner Josh Tarling on Tuesday and then opening out a lead on Wednesday's hilltop finish.

Pogacar leads Tarling by 21sec in the overall standings with Ivan Romeo third at 27. Finn Fisher-Black and Jay Vine round out the top five.

D.Kelly--TNT

Featured

Former SNY Host Niki Lattarulo Confirms Layoffs Amid Network Cuts

Former SNY host Niki Lattarulo has confirmed she was among the editorial staff laid off last week as the sports network canceled two of its flagship programs. The cuts coincide with a broader operational review that includes removing past content from the network's website, though core Mets and Jets coverage will continue.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: