Runner-up Groenewegen remains leader in Dubai
After the second stage of the Dubai Tour, Dylan Groenewegen is still leading in the general classification. The rider of Team LottoNL-Jumbo was close to another stage win, but was ultimately beaten by Elia Viviani after a long sprint. In the general classification, the Dutchman is two seconds ahead of the Italian. In addition, Groenewegen remains the leader in the points and youth classification.
The race developed in a very similar way to yesterday’s race, when an early escape managed to gain a big advantage. The race was then controlled by, amongst others, Bram Tankink, who rode in the front of the peloton all day. After a while, the breakaway group slowly disintegrated, to be swallowed by the chasing peloton ten kilometres before the finish line.
In the peloton, preparations for a mass sprint had already been put into effect, as was the case with Team LottoNL-Jumbo. In the hectic final, Groenewegen seemed to lose sight of his lead-out. "That happened a kilometre and a half before the finish. It was really hard today”, he said afterwards.
"I had to come from very far to sprint for the win. The fact that I didn’t win is disappointing, but the gain of today is that I’m still the leader in the general classification. Now, the focus is on tomorrow”, said the sprinter of Team LottoNL-Jumbo.