There was a scandal during the third stage. The German Marcel Kittel from Quick-Step Floors , leader of the overall standings at the time, was hit in the face with the elbow by the Ukrainian Andrij Hrywko from the Astana Pro Team . Kittel had to be treated. Despite this blow, Kittel was eleventh in the stage win John Degenkolb of Trek-Segafredo and retained the overall lead. Grivko was disqualified and excluded from this race. The Astana team then apologized to Kittel after the stage, while Grivko also apologized, but Kittel also complicitly, as Kittel tried to push him off the road several times on a windward edge. Kittel called for Grivko to be suspended for several months for the Ukrainian and initially refused to accept an apology. The UCI Disciplinary Commission therefore suspended Grivko in April 2017 for 45 days from May 1 to June 14.
The fourth stage from Dubai to Hatta Dam over 172 km was initially shortened to 109 km due to a sandstorm . This meant that there should be two laps of 51.1 km around Hatta plus the ascent towards Hatta Dam. Ultimately, this project was rejected shortly before the start of this stage. The stage was completely canceled due to driver protests.
United Arab Emirates
Marcel Kittel ( Quick-Step Floors )
Dylan Groenewegen ( LottoNL-Jumbo )
Nicola Boem ( Bardiani CSF )
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