Marcel Kittel confirmed his status as one of the rising stars of cycling as he claimed victory in the second stage of the Dubai Tour.
The 25-year-old, winner of last month’s People’s Choice Classic in Adelaide, South Australia, had targeted victory in the 121km sprint stage and duly delivered as he edged out Slovakian Peter Sagan to win in 2 hours 50 minutes and 30 seconds.
“The team did a great job in bringing me into position,” said Kittel moments after his victory. “We did a lot of work and then in the last 500 meters I had do work for myself and then I started my sprint with 200 meters to go.
"I’m very proud of how we worked for the win today. There was a lot of wind and I hope it’s better in the next few days."
Spaniard Francesco Mansebo had led for much of the race but it was Giant Shimano’s Kittel who held off the challenge of Sagan, Taylor Phinney and Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle to claim his first stage victory.
However, it is American Phinney who still holds first place in the general standings as he is some 17 seconds ahead of teammate Steve Cummings.
Lasse Norman Hansen, who impressed on Wedensday when he claimed a podium finish in the time trial, remains in third position followed by Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara.
Phinney also tops the general point standings on 32, while Sagan is 11 points adrift and Kittel is just one further behind after his stage victory.
"My goal was to stay safe," explained Phinney. "The team rode well and everyone looked after me so with 500m to go, I was able to use the cross wind and did my own sprint. I was passed with 75m to go but I am happy with third and keeping the jersey."
The second stage saw 127 riders from 16 teams travel through some of the most iconic parts of the city before they headed for the finish line by Atlantis Hotel on the Palm.
