After a more than 100km brakeaway yesterday, Willie Smit gives a wonderful bis launching action even in the third stage and winning the special jersey as leader of the intermediate sprints.
Hatta (UAE) – After the euphoria for yesterday great performance, with the long brakeaway of Willie Smit and 5 athletes placed in the top 25, today from Hatta came an important confirmation: there’s also Vini Fantini – NIPPO – De Rosa Team among protagonists of the first edition of Dubai Tour.
In the third stage, arriving in Hatta on Arabian desert and considered as decisive for the fate of General Classification of the race, it was again Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) to win with a great sprint confirming itself as the best sprinter in this moment. On General Classification anything didn’t change with Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing Team) today further strengthened its leadership towards his teammate Steven Cummings and Lasse Hansen (Garmin Sharp), respectively 15” and 17” seconded.
As yesterday, brakeaway started in km0 and one of the protagonists was South African Willie Smit that, once again, has launched the action with determination. An over 3 hours brakeaway, before between skyscrapers and Dubai roads and then between the arid desert of Oman. At last, near Hatta, BMC Team took the control of situation going to mend the gap between group and six riders in the front of the race. An action that, with the two intermediate sprints won today, has allowed to Smit taking off to Taylor Phinney the Intermediate Sprints leader’s jersey: "I’m very happy for this result, achieved in a prestigious event like this. In Dubai Tour there are the best teams of the world and it’s an honor for me wearing this shirt. This result – says Willie Smit – rewards the great work that all riders of my Team are doing here in Dubai and I want to share with them my joy".
Tomorrow is scheduled the last stage with arrival in the blaze of lights of Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world that will crown the winner of the first edition of Dubai Tour. "I want to honor this shirt and I will fight to keep it until the end of the race. This would be the best gift for Stefano Giuliani, my companions, Management and sponsors of the Team": Willie Smit is ready for the first exploit in the season of Vini Fantini – NIPPO – De Rosa Team.