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Soudal-Quick Step rider Tim Merlier burst from the middle of the bunch to storm past his rivals and win stage 1 on the UAE Tour at Liwa on Monday.
The finale was marred by a high-speed fall with around 20 riders hitting the tarmac hard and three-quarters of the peloton caught behind it.
The fall was caused by a shoulder barge with some riders taken away by ambulance.
Merlier had predicted a fight for the opening stage due to the quality of the field.
“It’s my…