UAE Team Emirates’ Ulissi takes win and leader’s jersey in Luxembourg

DUBAI — Diego Ulissi put in a confident performance to take his first win of the season on stage 1 of the Skoda-Tour of Luxembourg (2.Pro). After being set up nicely by his teammates, the Italian made one of his trademark punchy attacks on the final incline, which came with 1km to go.

As the group came back Ulissi eased off before pouncing with 250m to go and holding off until the line. Jasper Philipsen and Rui Oliveira finished off a strong team performance with 5th an 6th respectively on the stage.

Ulissi: “The team did a great job today, setting me up perfectly for my attack in the last kilometer. I did a good sprint, finally managing to get my first win of the season after so many placings.

“The stage in general wasn’t too hard, but the final 20 km were complicated, especially the last thousand meters, where luckily I had great legs.”

Ulissi will now wear the yellow leader’s jersey heading into stage 2 from Remich to Hesperange (160.8k) which features a hilly finishing circuit.

Stage 1 results:

1. Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) 3:13:15; 2. Amaury Capiot (Sport Vlaanderen) “; 3. Eduard Grosu (Delko-Nippo) “

General Classification after stage 1: 1. Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) 3:13:02; 2. Amaury Capiot (Sport Vlaanderen) @7”; 3. Eduard Grosu (Delko-Nippo) @9”. — SG