Mohammed Al Mansoori of UAE National Team has rollercoaster day in Dubai Tour

Jay Asser 22:22 06/02/2018
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  • Mohammed Al Mansoori (second right) in the five-man breakaway.

    Though he was left licking literal wounds after crossing the finish line in the opening stage of the Dubai Tour, Mohammed Al Mansoori made good on the UAE National Team’s aggressive approach.

    A late crash inside the final 10 kilometres from Skydive Dubai to Palm Jumeirah on day one meant Al Mansoori unjustly crossed in 108th place out of 110 cyclists to finish.

    But Al Mansoori was part of all the right action for most of the race as he jumped out in the breakaway group, along with Andy Fenn (Aqua Blue Sport), Daniel Teklehaimanot (Cofidis), Nathan Van Hooydonck (BMC Racing) and Charles Planet (Novo Nordisk).

    The breakaway ambition was part of a plan handed down to UAE National Team riders ahead of the stage and Al Mansoori followed through to put his nation’s colours in a share of the early limelight.

    “Before the race, the coach told us ‘you must break away’ and we tried until we reached it,” Al Mansoori said.

    Somewhat predictably, the breakaway couldn’t stave off the peloton as Al Mansoori and the others were eventually swallowed up by the charging brigade.

    What couldn’t be foreseen, however, was the crash in the middle of Palm Jumeirah that wiped out several riders, with Al Mansoori knocked off his bike in the carnage.

    Though he couldn’t remember exactly how it unfolded, Al Mansoori was disappointed that the collision meant a sour finish for him and his team.

    “We had a crash and we couldn’t stay in the peloton. Three (UAE National Team) riders got caught in the crash with about eight kilometres left.”

    Fortunately for Al Mansoori, his injuries didn’t require a trip to hospital or affect his humour as he said with a laugh: “I’m okay, better than yesterday.”

    Now in his fourth Dubai Tour, Al Mansoori can check off a box on his list after being part of the breakaway for the first time in the event on home soil.

    But it may not be his last as he fully expects his team’s approach to remain unchanged in the coming stages.

    Al Mansoori said: “We will try to make another attack to take the UAE flag jersey (for intermediate sprint).”

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