Overview
- Strong winds cut the planned 144-kilometer route to 118 kilometers, reshaping tactics on the opening day.
- Isaac del Toro, 22, won the stage ahead of Cees Bol and Antonio Tiberi in a surprise result.
- Sprint favorite Jonathan Milan crashed about one kilometer from the finish, then got back on his bike but lost his shot at victory.
- No German rider finished in the top ten of the shortened first stage.
- Florian Lipowitz is not racing the UAE Tour, Remco Evenepoel is competing, and Tadej Pogačar plans to begin his season at Strade Bianche in March.