Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) took his third victory of the season by winning stage two of the UAE Tour. The Colombian won a sprint finish at Abu Dhabi Big Flag ahead of Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal).
“I have to thanks the team for its great work and the attention it gave when the group broke up in the side-winds,” Gaviria said. “They took control of the race, which was big since our sponsors were expecting a lot from us. We had the responsibility to do well. We pulled off a big win.
“Alexander Kristoff worked exceptionably well for me, bringing me into perfect position for the sprint. He’s one of the strongest riders in the world, and he proved that today in the sprint. Now, we will have other opportunities as a team because we have a very strong team here in the UAE for all types of terrain.”
With 100 kilometres remaining in the stage, the peloton split due to cross-winds. However, the sprinters’ teams brought it back together and kept the speed high for a possible bunch sprint. UAE Team Emirates protected Gaviria up until 400 metres to race when Kristoff, already a stage winner in the Tour of Oman earlier this month, launched the sprint for Gaviria.
Tomorrow, the riders face a 13-kilometre climb up Jabel Hafeet at the end of the 179-kilometre stage which should help shape the final overall classification.
UAE Tour Stage 2 results
1 Fernando Gaviria (Col) UAE Team Emirates 4h36’22”
2 Elia Viviani (Ita) Deceuninck-Quick Step s.t.
3 Caleb Ewan (Aus) Lotto-Soudal s.t.
General classification after stage 2
1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma 4h53’21”
2 Jos Van Emden (Ned) Jumbo-Visma s.t.
3 Laurens De Plus (Bel) Jumbo-Visma s.t.
