Elia Viviani wins Stage 2 of the Dubai Tour. Dylan Groenewegen retains the Blue Jersey, sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Dubai

The Italian rider Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) won Stage 2 of the 2018 Dubai Tour, from Skydive Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah (190km), in a bunch sprint. On the finish line he beat Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo), who remains in the lead of the overall General Classification. Third classified was Riccardo Minali (Astana Pro Team).

STAGE RESULT

1 - Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) 190km in 4h34’31”, average speed 41.527km/h
2 - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo) s.t.
3 - Riccardo Minali (Astana Pro Team) s.t.

JERSEYS

• The Blue Jersey, sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Dubai (General individual classification by time) - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo)
• The Red Jersey, sponsored by Emirates (General individual classification by points) - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo)
• The White Jersey, sponsored by RTA - Roads and Transport Authority (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1993) - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo)
• The UAE Flag Jersey, sponsored by DHA - Dubai Health Authority (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Nathan Van Hooydonck (BMC Racing Team)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo)
2 - Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) at 2''
3 - Nathan Van Hooydonck (BMC Racing Team) at 9"

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the winner Elia Viviani said: “Having my birthday today added to my motivation. Losing yesterday was also good for my head. Overnight we felt like we missed one chance that would never be given back. I feel I'm in good condition and have the legs for winning. I had a mechanical but luckily it was with 20km to go and I had time to come back. With 500m to go, my lead out man Fabio Sabatini closed the gap. I chose Kristoff's wheel. I saw Groenewegen coming back with 50 meters but finally the line was in the right place for me to win. I'm pretty happy”.

The Blue Jersey, Dylan Groenewegen said: “It's very hard to come only second today after winning yesterday. I had mechanical problems with my first bike, and also with the second 1.5km before the finish. That's how I lost my sprint train and I came very late to the front for sprinting. The only good point for today is that I'm still in the lead of the overall classification but I wanted to win the stage.”

MG