Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) won today’s queen stage of the Dubai Tour and has now moved up to third place overall. The Italian edged out Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana Pro Team) and Timo Roosen (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) for the win at Hatta Dam.
“It’s a big win for me and the team,” said Colbrelli. “We did a great job in the final part of the race. I have to thank my team for today’s win.”
A break of six riders – Robin Carpenter and Brandon McNulty (Rally Cycling), Sun Xiaolong (Mitchelton-BikeExchange), Conor Dunne (Aqua Blue Sport), Christopher Williams (Novo Nordisk) and Simone Bevilacqua (Willier-Triestina) – went clear early on gaining a lead of four minutes.
Quick Step Floors and Astana controlled the peloton and started to reel the leaders in as they neared Hatta Dam. McNulty and Dunne were the last two riders left up front and held a lead of 2’25” with fifteen kilometres remaining.
Dunne dropped off an incline as McNulty pushed on and the American still held an advantage on Hatta Dam. It looked like the 19 year-old could win the stage but at the steepest part of the climb and within sight of the finish line, he was passed by Colbrelli and the others.
“The final 2 kilometres were really challenging,” explained Colbrelli. “Vincenzo did really a great job with the team. I had a mechanical problem, but in the end I took the win. The breakaway rider was very strong. We caught up with him just 20/30meters to go. It went fine for me.”
Directeur Sportif Alberto Volpi was excited and short on words: “Fantastic job from the whole team during the race, especially the last 10km, and of course fantastic legs by Sonny”.
With this win and the bonus seconds, Colbrelli climbed up to third overall, just 4 seconds behind Elia Vivivani (Quick-Step Floors) before the tomorrow’s last stage. Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana Pro Team) is in second at 2″.
