Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) had already won stages at the Argentinian Vuelta a San Juan in January, but he had yet to contest a King of the Sprint title race. The first four of those were ridden in Australia, and Elia Viviani (Deceunick-Quick Step) won twice. Viviani, then, was the outright favourite in the first sprint stage at the UAE Tour.
However, it was Gaviria who beat Viviani to the line at Abu Dhabi Big Flag, and ended the 29-day reign of the Italian.
We will possibly see the next title race on Friday, in Khor Fakkan.
King of the Sprint 