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.



Bayern Star Harry Kane Poised to Return Against Leipzig in Bundesliga

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
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Bayern Star Harry Kane Poised to Return Against Leipzig in Bundesliga

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Harry Kane could make a timely return for Bayern Munich against Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said Thursday that the striker was back training after returning from a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 30.
“I’m not going to say if he’ll start or not. The final training session is still important today. If everything goes well, he’ll definitely play a role tomorrow,” The Associated Press quoted Kompany as saying.

Alphonso Davies has also returned to training, and Serge Gnabry was working on his return from a knee injury.
Without Kane, Bayern was knocked out of the German Cup by defending champion Bayer Leverkusen, while it suffered its first Bundesliga defeat of the season last weekend to Mainz.
“We’ve already said that we can’t replace Harry one for one. Harry has this unbelievable feel for where he should be in the box,” Kompany said. “He has also helped us a lot defending. He’s one of the best in the world in the box – that’s where he makes the difference. There are not many players who can do that.”
Kane has 20 goals in 19 games for Bayern in all competitions.