Dubai: Italian Team Sky rider Elia Viviani pipped overall leader Mark Cavendish of Etixx-Quick Step to win the second stage of the Dubai Tour on Palm Jumeirah on Thursday.
Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd in front of the iconic Atlantis hotel, Viviani came up with a timely sprint that saw him finish ahead of Britain’s Cavendish, winner of the opening stage on Wednesday.
Known as the ‘Nakheel Stage’,the route was extended at the last minute by three kilometres from its original 187km to 190km due to ongoing roadworks. But that proved to be no problem forViviani,who is inhis debut season for the team from Britain.
Italian Astana Pro Team rider Andrea Guardini finished thirdafter claiming second on the opening stage.Russian Alexander Porsevof Team KatushawasfourthandSkydive Dubai’s Andrea Palini fifth.
Cavendish retains the overall leader’s blue jersey (based on time) and also the points leader’s red jersey.
Friday’sthird stage– a medium mountain stage -will have a 10.20am start from race headquarters at Dubai International Marine Club.
This stage is most likely to disrupt the procession of bunch sprints as it goes through the Hajjar Mountain range bordering Oman and endsat the top of the Hatta Dam.
