El Abdia clinches the Tour Du Maroc Yellow Jersey as Overall Race Winner

18 April 2017, Dubai - United Arab Emirates: UAE Team Emirates’ rider and Moroccan National Champion Anass Ait el Abdia, sealed the General Classification title at the tenth and final stage of the Tour Du Maroc (Rabat-Casablanca, which was won by Galdoune), thanks primarily to his victory in the fourth stage, Houed Laou-El Hoceima.

The victory is the fourth of his career; following on from the 2016 National Championships, Tour du Prince 2015, and the Taghir stage of the Tour du Maroc 2014.

'I'm happy and proud, this victory comes at an important moment in my career,” said the 24 year old Moroccan rider, “I participated in the Tour Du Maroc as part of the Moroccan National Team and I am happy to have been able to finish with such a great result. I would like to thank UAE Team Emirates for all the support and guidance I have received from them as that helped my performance. Crossing the line at the Tour du Maroc as the overall leader is a feeling I cannot describe, but it is a very good feeling. I'm now looking forward to my upcoming races: Gp Città di Lugano and the Tour of Slovenia.'

UAE Team Emirates' Team Manager, Carlo Saronni, commented: 'We are very proud of Anass and would like to congratulate him and the Moroccan National Team on this home win. They were impressive throughout the race and it’s great that they were able to have success at the Tour du Maroc. This victory will surely motivate Ait el Abdia for his upcoming races. The team will do their best to offer him the best conditions to hone his skills.'