More racing than you can shake a stick at.

Abu Dhabi Stage 5: Qasr Al Muwaiji to Jebel Hafeet, 199km

The Jabel Hafeet climb provided a fascinating climax to shake up the GC podium. Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde went clear with Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and there was only ever going to be one scenario as they came to the finish line together. Valverde took the stage win and with it the overall title, his second of the season. Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) rounded out the stage podium. Valverde gets to take home the golden picture frame trophy by 17secs from Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman with Best young Rider Lopez at +29secs. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) retained the points jersey, Nikolay Trusov (Gazprom-RusVelo)saeled the intermediate sprints and BORA- Hansgrohe topped the team rankings.

Video…

Embed from Getty Images

Full race report at Cycling News

Race Website  Race Twitter  #RideToAbuDhabi

Kuurne Brussels Kuurne:  Kuurne to Kuurne, 198km

Julien Vermote (Dimension Data), last man standing from late break, was swept up within sight of the finish line as the sprinters wound up for a bunch kick. LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dylan Groenewegen sizzled past Arnaud Demare (FDJ) with Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) in third.

Video…

Never saw him for the whole race until he opened his sprint. That’s how to deliver your sprinter LottoNL-Jumbo #Chapeau

Embed from Getty Images

My favourite breakaway bid of the day. Trek-Segafredo’s Jasper Stuyven and Daniel Oss (BORA-hansgrohe) made a bold attack on the Nokereberg. Unfortunately it was foiled when Daniel had a puncture.

Thrilled Julien held on to take 9th,still can’t get used to him in a Dimension Data jersey.

The marvel that is the KBK donkey. Look after it Dylan.

Last word

Full race report at Cycling News

Race Website  Race Twitter  #KBK

Spar – Omloop van het Hageland – Tielt-Winge: Tielt to Tielt-Winge, 131km

Ellen Van Dijk (Sunweb)time trialled her way to a fantastic solo victory in the first round of the Lotto Cycling Cup. She made her move on the final climb of the day and never looked like losing her 12sec winning advantage. Chloe Hosking (Ale-Cippolini) won the sprint from the reduced chase group with Jolien d’Hoore (Mitchelton-Scott) taking 3rd step on the podium.

Unlike Omloop Het Nieuswblad this race was shown live much to the joy of teams and fans alike. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to track down any highlights, but we will post them on the blog as soon as they become available.

Full race report at Cycling News

Race Website Race Twitter #OmloopHetHageland

 Royal Bernard Drome Classic

A bitterly cold day for this feisty French one day race ended with Direct Energie’s Lilian Calmejane out foxing his two Quick-Step Floor breakaway companions. The French rider attacked once on the final climb to drop Bob Jungels and again to gap Jhonatan Narvaez. Holding his advantage to the latter on the helter-skelter descent with enough time to unzip his jacket and keep the team sponsors happy. Jungels rounded out the podium.

Video, we start as they face the final climb with 1.6km to go. LOVE how the French commentators get SO frustrated when the camera cuts away just as Calmejane attacks the second time.

What a day for Ecuador’s champion

If captain America says it cold, then it’s COLD

Full race report at Feltet  (it’s in Danish but Google Translate will do the trick )

Race Website  Race Twitter  #BDA2018

Header image: Smiles at the Tour of Abu Dabi  – Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images