Elia Viviani may have spent much of Wednesday toasting to his 29th birthday, but a day on the celebrations continued as the Italian sealed the leaders’ blue jersey on Stage 3 in Fujairah.
The Quick-Step Floors rider leads the overall classifications of the Dubai Tour by four seconds, with two stages remaining, and looks on the cusp of sealing a first victory on UAE soil.
A sixth-place finish had to suffice for Viviani on Thursday, and although he was disappointed with his execution in the final metres of the sprint, he showed mettle to push for the line against eventual stage winner Mark Cavendish.
“It’s not the best result for me but I’m happy to have the leaders’ jersey. I was disappointed not to take some bonuses for second or third today, but we always try to sprint for the win,” he said.
“The headwind with 200metres to go is difficult with such a good sprinter on the wheel. It’s difficult to stay in front until the line. I started to lose speed on the last 50m with five guys approaching me and I ended up finishing sixth.”
Friday’s 172km route will take the riders out of Skydive Dubai and towards the hilly terrain of Hatta, which will provide its first real challenge.
Given Viviani is a sprinter, it will be difficult for the former Team Sky man to attack on the 500m ascent that concludes the stage, but he is hoping for a positive showing to keep his hands on the blue jersey.
“I think it’s difficult for me to try to win, but if I’m in a good position with good leg speed I’ll try to defend as much as possible. It’s nothing to do with lead out, but to be in good position,” he added.
“We need to defend but that’s what all the sprinters are thinking about tomorrow. Whoever wins tomorrow will be the biggest contender.”
Based on his consistency over the first three days, the Verona native looks in firm control to push for a first title in Dubai.
“It’s a tough finish on Friday. A lot of it is about positioning. The gap is so small,” he said. “All the sprinters will have the same goal. Defend and try to attack on Friday. It’s a chance to gain time and think about Saturday.”
