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Belgian Van Eetvelt Hits the Heights to Claim UAE Tour

UAE Tour winner Lennert Van Eetvelt only turned professional last year © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
UAE Tour winner Lennert Van Eetvelt only turned professional last year © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
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Belgian Van Eetvelt Hits the Heights to Claim UAE Tour

UAE Tour winner Lennert Van Eetvelt only turned professional last year © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
UAE Tour winner Lennert Van Eetvelt only turned professional last year © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

Belgium's Lennert Van Eetvelt produced a dramatic summit finish on Jebel Hafeet to claim the final stage and overall victory in the UAE Tour on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Lotto rider powered clear around two kilometres from the line to take the 161km seventh stage by 22 seconds from Pello Bilbao and Ben O'Connor, AFP reported.

With a 10 sec time bonus Van Eetvelt shot to the top of the overall standings, two seconds ahead of Australia's O'Connor, with Bilbao completing the podium.

O'Connor's compatriot, UAE Team Emirates' Jay Vine began the day in the lead but his hopes bit the dust in the closing climb.

"I was expecting a difficult stage," Van Eetvelt said, adding that he had been able to stay on the wheels of the leaders.

"Then when we began the climb I told myself I had to give my all.

"I couldn't be happier," beamed the rider who was adding this to a race win in Mallorca last month.

Van Eetvelt only turned professional last year, making his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta a Espana where he came in 32nd overall.

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Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Monaco has condemned the racist insults at its defender Wilfried Singo, who gave Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a bloodied face in their Ligue 1 game.
Donnarumma’s face was cut up by Singo's studs during PSG's 4-2 win at Monaco on Wednesday.
Singo's shot was blocked so he tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but struck his face. Photos showed a cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card.
PSG said Donnarumma suffered “a facial trauma with multiple wounds.” He was scheduled for exams on Thursday and will likely be rested for several days.
Singo apologized to Donnarumma, The Associated Press reported.
“My gesture was obviously not intentional, but I was able to see afterwards that he had a significant injury to his face," Singo wrote on social media in French and Italian. “I wish you a good recovery.”
PSG posted a video showing Singo in its dressing room and speaking with a smiling Donnarumma after the match. In the footage, the goalkeeper can be heard saying in Italian “Tranquillo," which in that context translates as “Don't worry.”
Social media was not so understanding.
Monaco said in a statement on Thursday it “firmly condemns the unacceptable racist comments made about Wilfried Singo on social networks after last night’s match against Paris Saint-Germain. Such behavior has no place in sport, either on or off the pitch, and is totally at odds with the values upheld by the club. The club offers its full support to Wilfried.”
Donnarumma walked off the field and was replaced by Matvey Safonov.
PSG has opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league. Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-placed Marseille, which has one match in hand.