Rui Oliveira sprints to sixth on opening day of the CRO Race

On a fast start to the CRO Race, Rui Oliveira sprinted to sixth place for UAE Team Emirates-XRG on stage 1. The Portuguese rider moved himself into a good position in the closing kilometres, and used his legs to take a top 10 finish.

It could have been more for Oliveira on the day, with the 28-year-old showing all his strength to latch onto the right wheels, but his momentum was ultimately stalled in the sprint to the line.

Despite being forced to brake as his rivals opened their sprint, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man continued to fight to the line and ensured the Emirati squad made a positive impression on the race. With five stages to come in Croatia, plenty of opportunities remain for Oliveira and his teammates.

Once the day’s breakaway had been caught inside the final 10km, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad demonstrated great commitment to Oliveira’s hunt for a stage win on Tuesday afternoon. Tim Wellens was the first to put his nose in the wind, before Julius Johansen marched his way to the front and delivered one final pull to keep Oliveira on the front left of the peloton.

Into the final 2km, Rune Herregodts and Brandon McNulty linked up to ensure Oliveira would remain at the head of proceedings as the fight for the line ensued. Having been guided into a great position, the Portuguese fast man looked set to contend for the top honours.

However, two riders appeared to pincer his momentum and Oliveira briefly had to touch the brakes. It was enough to see the day’s podium sprint of our reach, but the UAE Team Emirates-XRG stage hunter continued to press home and claimed sixth in a competitive sprint.

Reflecting on the day after the finish, Oliveira was quick to heap the praise on his teammates, before turning his eye to the rest of the week.

Oliveira: “Sixth place is a positive start to our week in Croatia, but I know I had the legs to achieve a lot more today. The finish really suited my characteristics as a rider and I was super determined to pick up another win for the team.

“However, on the last chicane, I was a bit unlucky that a rider came from my inside and I was forced to brake. I was in the right place and was confident of pushing for the victory, but I lost most of my momentum and that made it difficult.

“It is frustrating, but my goal is still the same as at the start of the stage – we are here to win. My teammates were amazing in the final kilometres, and I was in a great position to battle. This makes us confident for the rest of the week, we will keep fighting and try to get onto that top step!”

CRO Race stage 1 results:

1. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) 3:45:14

2. Danny van Poppel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) s.t

3. Oded Kogut (Israel-Premier Tech) s.t

6. Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t

CRO Race general classification after stage 1

1. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) 3:45:14

2. Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma) +1”

3. Danny van Poppel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +4”

9. Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +10”