British Rider Joshua Tarling Triumphs in UAE Tour Stage 2 Time Trial
United Arab Emirates, February 21, 2023 – British cyclist Joshua Tarling emerged victorious in the second stage of the UAE Tour on Tuesday, claiming the 12.2-kilometer time trial near Abu Dhabi with an impressive time that surpassed Swiss rider Stefan Bisseger and Slovenian Tadej Pogacar.
Tarling, a 21-year-old specialist in the individual time trial event, showcased his prowess with an average speed exceeding 56 km/h, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Bisseger and 18 seconds ahead of reigning world champion Pogacar. The young Briton also secured the leader’s red jersey, dethroning Italian Jonathan Milan, the winner of the previous day’s stage.
Milan, a sprinter, faced misfortune as he had to contend with unfavorable wind conditions while his main rivals benefited from more favorable circumstances. This resulted in him finishing more than a minute behind Tarling.
Tarling, who triumphed in the Nations Time Trial in 2023 and placed fourth in the Olympic time trial in Paris last summer, has now collected six career victories, all in time trial events.
"I had a lot of bad luck in my time trials last year. I needed this win to gain confidence at the start of the year. It’s done," said Tarling after his victory.
While Tarling’s triumph is undoubtedly impressive, he is unlikely to retain the leader’s jersey on Wednesday. His physical attributes (78 kg, 194 cm) may prove disadvantageous in the first of two mountain stages of the UAE Tour.
Pogacar, the reigning champion of the event and currently third overall, 18 seconds behind the red jersey, should find the terrain more suited to his strengths, with a final climb to Jebel Jais spanning approximately 20 km and featuring a consistent 5% gradient, increasing to 7% in the final two kilometers.
Race Highlights:
- Joshua Tarling (Great Britain) won the 12.2-kilometer time trial in 13:29, averaging over 56 km/h.
- Stefan Bisseger (Switzerland) and Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) finished second and third, respectively, 13 and 18 seconds behind Tarling.
- Tarling seized the overall leader’s red jersey from Jonathan Milan (Italy), who placed fifth due to unfavorable wind conditions.
- Tarling is the reigning Nations Time Trial champion and finished fourth in the Olympic time trial in Paris last year.
- Pogacar, the defending UAE Tour champion, is well-suited for the upcoming mountain stages and could regain the lead on Wednesday.
The UAE Tour continues on Wednesday with the first of two mountain stages, featuring a challenging ascent to Jebel Jais.
