South Africa’s Stefan de Bod put in a performance for the ages in finishing eighth in stage two of the UAE Tour today. Photo: Twitter @AstanaPremTech
South Africa’s Stefan de Bod put in a performance for the ages in finishing eighth in stage two of the UAE Tour today.
The 13km individual time-trial would’ve been circled in De Bod’s calendar since the route was revealed and the 24-year-old Astana-Premier Tech rider didn’t disappoint.
Taking to the road seventh out of the 132 riders, De Bod stopped the clock in a time of 14:29.
That time would prove good enough for eighth place overall, 33 seconds behind stage winner, Italian world champion Filippo Ganna.
De Bod was only 12 seconds away from a podium spot as left a number of seasoned WorldTour pros in his wake, including Chris Froome.
The Worcester-born rider is no stranger to time-trial success.
He is a three-time U23 individual time-trial champion (2016, 2017 and 2018) and also won the gold medal in the individual time-trial at the 2019 African Continental Road Championships in Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, De Bod’s compatriot Louis Meintjes (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) finished in 80th place, 1:34 behind the winning time.
