Team Jumbo-Visma won the team time trial as the UAE Tour began ©LaPresse/Ferrari- Paolone

Team Jumbo-Visma claimed victory on the opening day of the UAE Tour with team time trial success in Al Hudayriat.

The 16 kilometre event opened the first edition the race, which was formed after a merger between the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tour events.

Jumbo-Visma emerged as the winners with Germany's Tony Martin and The Netherlands' Jos van Emden contributing significantly to their effort.

Slovenia's Primoz Roglic led their team across the line in a time of 16min 49sec.

The effort proved enough to secure the first stage of the race, with Team Sunweb ending second at seven seconds down.

Bahrain-Merida ended a further two seconds down in third place.

Having crossed the line first, Roglic assumed the race lead.

Primoz Roglic crossed the line first for his team so assumed the race leader's jersey ©LaPresse/Ferrari-Paolone
Primoz Roglic crossed the line first for his team so assumed the race leader's jersey ©LaPresse/Ferrari-Paolone

"It was a very fast time trial and of course we're very happy to start the season with this performance," Roglic said.

"We came here with strong time trialists.

"We didn't really decide that I'd cross the line first but I took a strong turn at the end.

"It's nice to be in the lead and we want to win the race overall, but there are hard stages to come and we have to take it day by day."

The second stage of the International Cycling Union WorldTour race is expected to conclude in a sprint finish.

The 184km stage tomorrow will take the riders from Yas Mall to Abu Dhabi Breakwater.