Kittel wins first stage of Dubai Tour; UAE's Mirza impresses

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Kittel wins first stage of Dubai Tour; UAEs Mirza impresses
Marcel Kittel of Quick-Step Floors team celebrates his first stage win on Tuesday (Photo by Shihab)

Dubai - 2015 Dubai champion Mark Cavendish of Team Dimension Data finished third

By Rituraj Borkakoty


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Published: Tue 31 Jan 2017, 3:22 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Feb 2017, 10:56 AM

In his own words, Marcel Kittel was nervous when the race began on Tuesday morning. But the German did well to hide his fears when the first stage of the 2017 Dubai Tour approached the finish line.

Making their presence felt in front of the peloton, the Quick-Step Floors team paved the way for the German to begin a stunning sprint to take the Stage One honours at Palm Jumeirah.
"It's always great to race in Dubai. I am obviously delighted to be back here. And today the result was perfect for me," Kittel said after the winning the race.
"My team really did an awesome job today. I am really proud of them. They were superb until the end of the race."

Dylan Groenewegen, the 23-year-old Dutch rider, couldn't stop smiling after finishing second only to Kittel. Groenewegen, who rides for Team Lotto, took the white jersey for the best young rider.
"I am happy with the way I raced today. The second place was good enough because Kittel was too strong," Groenewegen later told reporters.
"It's my first race in Dubai and I really enjoyed it. The roads were flat and amazing and the weather was great. I hope I can continue the form tomorrow."
It might not be so easy for the young Groenewegen when the 186-km second stage takes the riders to Ras Al Khaimah. Mark Cavendish, who finished third, would be breathing down his neck when the second stage starts at Dubai International Marine Club on Wednesday.
The opening day was also memorable for UAE Olympian Yousif Mirza. Representing the UAE Abu Dhabi team, the 2015 Asian Cycling Championships silver medallist finished the first stage in 26th position. It was an impressive performance in an event that has attracted some of the world's best riders.
But the day, of course, belonged to the man who lifted the title last year. Backed by a strong performance from his teammates, Kittel showed his class in a race that was delicately poised with Cavendish's Team Dimension Data taking control of the front of the peloton.
With only five kilometres to go, it looked as if Cavendish, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, would finish the race in style. But the Quick-Step Floors refused to give up, eventually taking control of the front of the peloton. From then on, Kittel was just unstoppable.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com


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