Dubai: Dubai Tour 2014 leader and blue jersey winner Taylor Phinney is taking nothing for granted despite carrying forward a 16-second lead into Thursday’s Sport Stage of the race.
“I doubt it will be a smart thing to think that I have won the tour or something like that. For sure this stage win is a huge confidence-booster and I have exceeded my expectations,” Phinney admitted, after winning both the leader’s blue jersey and the best young rider’s white jersey here on Wednesday.
“There are a lot of variables in this race with strong winds and hill climbs. The conditions can change and I would rather take [things] day by day,” he said.
“A lot of things can happen from now on. The idea is to stay calm and I can see this as a great chance and great opportunity for me in the next three days.”
Phinney had a word of comfort for the world champion, whom he felt had to contend with the stronger winds that which were forecast later in the afternoon. “Normally you would hope that every one gets the chance to race under the same conditions, but that was not the case. He [Tony Martin] had to start last as he is the world champion and he had to contend with the stronger wind,” Phinney said.
The American was realistic of his team’s chances with three more stages totalling a little over 400km in the next three days.
“We will see if we can go and win this race. We have a good team at BMC and it is good to have Steve [Cummings] second overall and that gives us an edge. It will be a short race but exciting.”
