CYCLING

Elia Viviani doubles up one year later in front of the sea

By Dubai Tour

One year after winning Stage 2 of the Dubai Tour at Palm Jumeirah in front of the magnificent Atlantis hotel, Italian sprinter Elia Viviani of Team Sky repeated his victory as he edged out his compatriots Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida), Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek - Segafredo) and Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team). He also succeeded Marcel Kittel (Etixx - Quick Step) in the lead of the overall classification on the eve of the queen stage to Hatta Dam.

Four riders contested most of the race at the front: Francisco Manchebo (Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team - Al Ahli Club), Koen de Kort (Team Giant - Alpecin), Silvan Dillier (BMC Racing Team) and Marcin Bialoblocki (One Pro Cycling). The latter won all intermediate sprints to claim the dedicated UAE flag jersey.


Photo courtesy of Dubai Tour

Manchebo forged on with 16km to go as the peloton was right behind him. He knew he’d get caught, especially because the breakaway was always kept under control with a gap of less than two minutes. The Spanish veteran was reeled in with 12km to go. British teams One Pro Cycling and Team Wiggins were the most active at the head of the peloton in the last 10km. Sir Bradley Wiggins himself sped up from 3 to 2km to go to stretch the bunch. A crash occurred at the exit of a tunnel 1km before the line but with minor consequences. Perfectly led out by Team Sky and ultimately Ben Swift at the end, Viviani took his first victory of the year on the same waterfront that looks like a springboard for another successful season.