Road Gallery: Abu Dhabi stage 1 marred by Cav crash Tour of Abu Dhabi commences with a sprint stage but one of the marquee speedsters, Cavendish, crashes out right at the start. Share this Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Email Icon Join VeloNews.com Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Join for free Already have an account? Sign In Join VeloNews.com Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Join for free Already have an account? Sign In The stark desert landscape is always striking. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Stage 1 of the Abu Dhabi Tour started on a sour note as Mark Cavendish was felled by a crash in the neutral zone caused by a commissaire’s car. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Staff checked Cavendish after his crash. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images It was determined that Cavendish had suffered a concussion and whiplash, forcing him to abandon. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images As stage 1 was to be a sprint stage, Cavendish’s crash was a disappointment for all. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Ever the breakaway artist, Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) led the four-man escape. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Conspicuous in his European champion’s jersey, Alexander Kristoff rode in the peloton alongside former Katusha teammate Pavel Kochetkov. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Another sprinter, Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), soaked in the sun. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Apart from a few gradual ups and downs, the 189-kilometer stage was flat. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images Maxim Belkov rode tempo at the front of the peloton for Katusha-Alpecin. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images The stark desert landscape is always striking. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images It came down to a sprint, and though Niccolo Bonifazio came up the left side with a late challenge, Kristoff won. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images The Norwegian celebrated his second win of the season. Photo: ©Tim De Waele | Getty Images
