Marcel Kittel Wins Stage 2 of the Abu Dhabi Tour, Mark Cavendish Retains the Red Jersey

Abu Dhabi, 24 February 2017 – The German rider Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) won the 153km Stage 2 of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour, from Abu Dhabi (Al Maryah Island) to Abu Dhabi (Al Marina), in a bunch sprint. He beat Caleb Ewan (Orica - Scott) and Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) in a photo-finish, with Cavendish defending his leadership in the overall General Classification and the Red Jersey sponsored by Al Maryah Island.

STAGE RESULT

1 - Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) 153km in 3h28’11", average speed 44.095km/h

2 - Caleb Ewan (Orica - Scott) s.t.

3 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)

2 - Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) at 4"

3 - Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) at 8"

JERSEYS

The Red Jersey, sponsored by the Al Maryah Island (General individual classification by time) - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)

The Green Jersey, sponsored by Nation Towers (General individual classification by points) - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)

The White Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1992) - Caleb Ewan (Orica - Scott)

The Black Jersey, sponsored by Etihad Airways (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Marco Canola (Nippo - Vini Fantini)

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Marcel Kittel said: "I think this is a very beautiful moment. Yesterday we lost not only the stage victory but also some skin... Today I had another chance, I was very motivated and I'm very happy now. Our plan was to come at the last moment to the front, I think we did it vey well, almost too late... I was in the wheel which was a real advantage, because all the sprinters were alone and I had to jump from wheel to wheel. On the right there was the best probability to jump to the front and when I saw it I went all in. I could see I was going faster than the rest but I was not sure if that was enough to cross the line first. Very nice to win like that.".

Press conference interviews and further details to follow.

TOMORROW'S STAGE

Stage 3 – Al Maryah Island Stage (186km)

From Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet

Sign-on procedures: 11:00-12:25

Alignment: 12:30

Start - KM 0: 12:35 (transfer 2,000m)

Finish: Approx. 17:00

Race Headquarters: Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain (UAE)

ROUTE

The third stage will take in both the sights of the city and the mountains. The first part, inside Al Ain city, is all on wide roads with roundabouts and speed bumps and is followed by a second part in the desert along wide and predominantly straight roads. At 15km to go, the route starts to rise slightly towards the final ascent, culminating in an uphill finish at an altitude of 1,025m, following an 11km climb with slopes with an 11% gradient.

Last km

The final climb features wide, raking bends on a three-lane highway. The gradient is mostly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% at 3km to go. There are short descents in the final kilometres before the last ramp with a straight finish on asphalt.

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Photo credits: ANSA - Peri / Bazzi

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