ABU DHABI // The setting at the Yas Marina Circuit was spectacular and so was the denouement to the fourth and final stage of the first Abu Dhabi Tour.
For the second time in three days, Elia Viviani of Team Sky outsprinted the world champion Peter Sagan.
That result completed the formality of the Colombian Esteban Chaves becoming the first winner of the Abu Dhabi Tour, taking the Red Jersey for the General Classification win.
After a somewhat fortuitous win on Jebel Hafeet on Saturday, Chaves had essentially to stay on his bike and complete the 110km-stage to win.
Viviani’s second-stage win brought reward as well in the Green Jersey and the Points Classification win.
And this triumph was even closer than the second-stage finish at Yas Mall on Friday. It was so close that Sagan would later — in jest — seek out a photo of the finish.
It was even closer this time than the second stage finish at Yas Mall on Friday. Sagan would later unbelievingly — and jokingly — look at a photo of the finish.
ALSO READ
[ Team Sky’s Elia Viviani making a habit out of upstaging more starry rivals ]
[ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE TOUR ]
[ Esteban Chaves captures pivotal Jebel Hafeet Stage 3 of Abu Dhabi Tour ]
[ Wouter Poels says speed may have caused Stage 3 crash but makes no excuses ]
It was a blisteringly fast race — suitable given the venue — with average speeds of over 46km per hour. “It was really, really close,” Viviani said.
“Sagan was on my wheel coming into the last corner. I looked behind and saw him on my right, so I knew he was there. But when I saw Bennati start his sprint, I knew that I was in the perfect position and launched my sprint at 150m.
“In the previous lap, I understood that it was better to just behind the leader, and then sprint, and I was happy to get across the line in first position.”
A second win, in a straight sprint duel against the world champion, understandably, felt good. “Yes, I’m in good shape after the worlds. I’m preparing to do some track to win Olympic points, and I have good sprint legs and power.
“I’m disappointed with my world championship results, but I think all the cycling world is happy to have Sagan as world champion.”
This was a special moment for Chaves. On Saturday, after he won the third stage, he had to be reminded that he had never won a General Classification and that he was on the verge of winning it.
Now he had a first major title and after a couple of Vuelta a Espana stage wins earlier in the year, a likely enhanced profile.
“Can you imagine?” he said after the race. “First a mountain stage win, then my first GC in a professional stage race.
“It’s beautiful. To finish the season with this run, it’s really good because you have good memories and motivation for training in the next season. Winning it, the first time for this race and first win for me, it’s beautiful. I’m really, really happy.”
Eduard Vorganov, Alexey Lutsenko and Gianluca Brambilla broke out first but given the straightforward nature of the course, they were always going to be caught up.
Chaves’s Orica-GreenEdge teammates had merely to make sure he was well-protected and kept in contention to ensure the win. With wide corners and no hurdles as such, it was not going to be a problem.
Chaves called himself “a quiet guy” later when asked how he would celebrate. Not much partying, just some quality time with the team.
The season will come to be regarded as a breakthrough for him, but for now, all thoughts about the next season and cycling will recede.
“For the moment it’s important to take a rest. Disconnect, have holidays, go to the beach, eat. After this we can start thinking about next season. But at the moment, it’s disconnect and a break.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at NatSportUAE
