Riding for Movistar Team, four-time Tour de France individual stage winner Valverde crossed the line in a time of 4 hours 38min 47sec, giving him an average speed of 42.828 kilometres per hour over the 199km course in the International Cycling Union WorldTour event. 

Miguel Angel López Moreno of Colombia, riding for the Astana Pro Team, finished second with the same time as 37-year-old Valverde.

It had looked like López was set to take the stage win but he was agonisingly overtaken by Valverde on the final corner.

It was to get worse for 24-year-old López as he found out his time today was still not enough to clinch second place overall, which went to 2011 Tour of Norway winner Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands, who rides for Team Sunweb.

Kelderman finished 17 seconds behind Valverde in the overall standings with López a further 12 seconds behind.

There was still a consolation prize for López, however, as he was awarded the race’s White Jersey given to the best young rider 25 or younger. 

"We knew that López would be the key player in today’s stage and also the man who could help me win the Abu Dhabi Tour overall," Valverde said. 

"He’s very young and talented.

"As a team, we have started the season on the right foot and it’s important for the morale.

"Our motivation is great and this victory is special as it’s outside Europe in a very nice race.

"Today’s stage was to my advantage and we wanted to make the best of it.

"I arrived on Friday and climbed Jebel Hafeet once on Saturday, twice on Monday and Tuesday.

"Moreover, I did it to get accustomed to the climate and the time difference.

"I knew exactly where to attack."