Cycling: Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) has won stage two of the UAE Tour. In the mass sprint, the Colombian prevailed in front of Elia Viviani (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto - Soudal). Primoz Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) was able to easily defend his red jersey.
Two brave breakaways against wind & peloton
The route profile of the second stage gave little hope for a successful breakaway attempt. It was 184,0 kilometers from Yas Island to the Abu Dhabi Big Flag. Nevertheless, these stages of the UAE Tour often provide interesting moments. Also today the wind blew sideways into the peloton and caused one or the other edge of wind. There was even a division in the field of drivers. However, since there were still around 100 kilometers to be completed at this point, the teams finally gave up the endeavor. However, the two brave escapees did not think of a task. The Russian Stepan Kurianov (Gazprom – RusVelo) and the Frenchman CharlesPlanet (Novo Nordisk) did well. With around 30 kilometers to go, they still had a lead of more than four minutes. But the sprinter teams were merciless and easily forced the expected mass sprint. At least Stepan Kurianov can show himself in the black jersey for the intermediate sprint rankings tomorrow.
Gaviria is perfectly staged by Kristoff
In the preparation for the mass sprint, several teams were very committed. Fortunately, thanks to the wide streets, the fights for positions did not have any negative consequences. Shortly before the finish line, however, it almost came to a collision when the later third Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal) alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) wanted to happen. The Norwegian previously pulled the sprint perfectly for his captain Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) at, so that too Elia Viviani (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) could no longer overtake. The local team celebrates an important victory. Fastest German was Marcel Kittel (Katusha – Alpecin) in seventh place. A better result was once again not possible due to poor positioning.
Tomorrow on the UAE Tour: mountain finish on Jebel Hafeet
In the standings Ambitions has logged today wilco kelderman (Sunweb). In the second intermediate sprint, he secured the last bonus second from the field. The Dutchman seems to be aiming for a good result in the final billing on the UAE Tour 2019. In order to achieve this, however, he must cross the finish line with the best tomorrow. The 179-kilometer stage takes the peloton from Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet. The final ascent is 10,8 kilometers long and has an average gradient of 5,4 percent. Even if the mountain is up to 11,0 percent steep in the middle section and reaches an average of 8,0 percent, it is not considered a particularly difficult climb, precisely because of the leveling off final sector. Nevertheless, it will certainly be the first attacks on the red jersey Primois Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) type.
Gaviria just edges out Viviani to take the Stage 2 win for @TeamUAEAbuDhabi 💪 #UAETour pic.twitter.com/e27dOMj0js
- Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 25. February 2019