After Luka Mezgec’s sixth place on the opening sprint stage of the Dubai Tour yesterday, it was John Degenkolb’s turn to finish in the top ten on stage two, in the same position as his teammate.

The stunning stage finish in Palm Jumeirah Atlantis, the same stage finish of Marcel Kittel’s first stage win in Dubai last season, was set to be another bunch sprint and it was Elia Viviani (Team Sky) who was fastest on the day.

The stage was a well-controlled one with just three riders moving clear for most of the day. There were some winds to contend with along the way but nothing to cause and major splits in the bunch, with the peloton regrouping after any echelons formed. In the final 20km just one rider was left out front and the catch was perfectly timed, in the final five kilometres, paving the way for a second bunch sprint in two days.

Team Giant-Alpecin were present at the front in the final but they lacked the firepower to match the other sprint trains lining up for the final kick. The race finish seemed pinned on a technical 180 degree turn in the final 1500m and it was here that the team got caught on other side of the straight to what they had aimed for, leaving them exposed. As the sprint opened up Degenkolb jumped onto the back of the other sprinters and opened up his sprint but could do little to close down those already in front of him.

Tomorrow’s third stage features a tough, sharp uphill finish to the stage where a much different outcome will be seen.

“It was a normal controlled stage today with some head and tail winds to make for some slow and fast sections along the way but nothing to really break up the bunch,” explained coach Aike Visbeek after the stage. “In the final kilometres we got a bit boxed in with Zico [Wayetens] so the guys had to adapt and change the lead out leaving Roy to start riding a bit earlier than planned. We are working in a good way though and this is good work to keep improving out lead outs so I am happy with how it is going.

“The communication between the riders is good and if we continue working on our development I am confident that the results will improve.”

Johannes Fröhlinger gave his thoughts on the start to his season: “The first two days have been quite steady so far, apart from the finishes that is. So far I am pretty satisfied with my form – a good start for me given that I couldn’t train for a few weeks in December due to an injury.

“Together with the team I trained well in January for the start of the season and my condition is already good so I am happy so far.”