South African rider won the Intermediate Sprints leader’s jersey with another stage as protagonist and thanks to the great work of the entire team, De Negri on brakeaway and Miyazawa 8th in the sprint dominated by Kittel: Dubai Tour ends in the best way for “Blue Mountain” Team.
Dubai (UAE) – A true masterpiece, achieved thanks to an excellent teamwork and to the great tenacity of a rider destined to come right in the history of Dubai Tour. That guy is Willie Smit, atypical chronoman born in 1992 able to defend himself on every type of track and with a huge determination. Determination who found full consecration in this Dubai Tour that saw Willie among the undisputed protagonists thanks to a conduct of the race constantly on attack and looking for points: at the end of the race Willie has totaled 16 points, winning the "Dubai Jersey" as leader of Intermediate Sprints.
"I strongly wanted to bring home this jersey and I’m glad to dedicate it to the sponsors and to the Management of this Team that allowed me to compare myself with the best athletes in the world – says an excited Willie Smit in the immediate post race – I want to thank all the members of my Team and Stefano Giuliani, this success rewards the hard work of all".
But the success of Willie Smit isn’t the only good news that comes from the United Arab Emirates: the continuous show on races of Vini Fantini – NIPPO – De Rosa Team is certainly not gone unnoticed, and last in order of time, it should be highlighted the good brakeaway promoted by Pierpaolo De Negri and the eighth position of Takashi Miyazawa on the sprint in front of the Burj Khalifa which has crowned again Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) ahead of Mark Renshaw (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Andrea Guardini (Astana).
"We are a Continental Team and being protagonists in a race against the most important Team in the world fill us with pride. The conquest of this jersey rewards the great action of Willie but also a fantastic teamwork directed by Stefano Giuliani". This is the opinion of Vini Fantini – NIPPO – De Rosa Team Management, who can thinks already looking towards next season: "Thanks to this success we can look with great conviction to 2015 season, we’ll certainly try to be in higher category thanks to the support of our sponsors and confirming the philosophy that characterize the ambitious project of this team: discover and grow young talents keeping an international profile".
On first edition of the Dubai Tour, which has crowned a superb Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing Team) Vini fantini – NIPPO – De Rosa Team returns home with a gorgeous jersey and a certainty: the ascent of the "Mountain" has begun, and it started in the most beautiful way.