Mark Cavendish of Dimension Data sprinted to a win and took the overall lead on the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour yesterday.
Mark Cavendish won the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour to take the overall lead in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Photo: Stiehl Photography
Team Sky’s Elia Viviani finished in second place with Astana’s Andrea Gaurdini rounding out the podium.
It was a short stage that greeted the tour’s peloton with only 115km to be raced around the city streets of Abu Dhabi.
An early breakaway increased the speed of the stage with 6 riders going clear. Team Dimension Data placed Mekseb Debesay on the front of the peloton from early on to control the gap.
By working with Giant-Alpecin and Trek-Segafredo, The African team was able to keep the gap under the 3-minute mark.
At 1km to go, Dimension Data, Giant-Alpecin and Trek-Segafredo put in a strong ride to catch up with the leaders. From there Team Sky and CCC Sprandi used fresh legs to lead out the sprint with their numbers in advantage.
It was then when Mark Renshaw assisted in bringing Mark Cavendish into position at 300m to go. This gave the Manxman the opportunity to slip onto the wheel of Team Sky’s Elia Viviani just before the final right hand bend.
Viviani attacked with the line in sight but Cavendish was able to come off his wheel with more speed and surged ahead to take the win.
“I am really happy with today, to get the win after going so close yesterday.
“It was touch and go as to whether the break would be caught but the team rode hard up front”, said Cavendish.
See more news, results and information at Abu Dhabi Tour.
