Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) proved once again his undisputed winning spirit as he claimed a second stage win and the green points jersey at the last road race of his 2016 season on the YAS Marina Circuit of Abu Dhabi. He outsprinted stage 1 winner Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek – Segafredo) and his arch-rival Elia Viviani (Team Sky) who had beaten him in the Omnium track race at the Rio Olympics. The Official Race Ambassador stole the show in style after catching escapees Michal Paloto (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), Frederik Frison (Lotto-Soudal), Kristian House (One Pro Cycling), Sergey Firsanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) and Yauheni Sobal (Minsk Cycling Club) while race leader Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) finished safely in the bunch to take the first stage race victory of his career.
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GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
2 - Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) at 21"
3 - Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) at 43"
4 - Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at 1'00"
5 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) s.t.
JERSEYS
- RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
- GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
- WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Julien Bernard (Trek - Segafredo)
- BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)
STAGE RESULT
1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 143km in 3h07’44”, average speed 45.703km/h
2 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek - Segafredo) s.t.
3 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
QUOTES
In the press conference, the Abu Dhabi Tour winner, Tanel Kangert, said: "I have to say I was a little bit nervous before but better have some nerves than nothing at all. I was not stressing too much though because it was flat with no side wind to make it dangerous. I was excited to race but nervous to wear the jersey. I’m delighted to win the overall ranking. Entering the WorldTour, the level of the Abu Dhabi Tour will be even higher. It’s a race for sprinters but GC gets decided in one climb. I’m yet to study my race program for next but if I’m fit enough in February, I’d love to come back and defend my title".
The stage winner and Green Jersey winner, Mark Cavendish, said: "I’m very happy with winning a second stage at the Abu Dhabi Tour, especially with such tremendous settings. It’s a special way to cap off the whole season. My Dimension Data team mates did an incredible job. All day they controlled the break, with Astana. I got a perfect lead out. I just did the final. I’m super happy today to add the Nations Tower green jersey to these two stage wins. Racing on a circuit is always difficult. Mentally it’s different when you do the same thing 26 times. I got the feeling of racing a Moto GP. The atmosphere for the spectators was another story, rather than waiting for two days for seeing twenty seconds of racing".
After the race, second classified overall Nicolas Roche said: "I’m happy with my result and the season being over. At this stage in the season 2016, every race is important. I’m happy to have performed in my last week with the team and my last week of racing in the year. It’s good to finish on a high note in preparation for the winter".
Third classified in General Classification, Diego Ulissi, said: "I’ve had a great season with six victories and a very consistent showing all year round. To cap it off with a podium finish here is a real satisfaction. It’s only the second year of the Abu Dhabi Tour but the event is already very prestigious. I’m glad to be part of the honour roll".
White Jersey winner, Julien Bernard, said: "It’s not been an easy day despite what people may have thought. We were riding fast all evening so we had to remain focused all the time and maintain a good position in order to spend the least possible energy. Everyone was kind of at the limit but I managed to avoid splits. Our sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo got the best result we could hope for with a second place behind Cavendish. We leave Abu Dhabi with a stage win, two podiums and a distinctive jersey, we couldn’t hope for more".
Black Jersey winner, Jens Keukeleire, said: "There’s nothing to complain about in the organization of the Abu Dhabi Tour. I’m very happy with this race. I rode away the first two days. Initially, the aim was to win a stage but I got the black jersey and the second day was all about trying to defend it. I succeeded and I’m happy to be here with the black jersey".