The final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour came down to sprint finish on the Yas Marina Motor Circuit with Elia Viviani (Team Sky) powering to the stage win. World Champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) was 2nd and Andrea Gaurdini (Astana) took 3rd.
It would be 20 laps of the famous Formula 1 track for the peloton today, totaling to a short 110km final stage. The track provided for a spectacular backdrop to the season finale particularly as the stage was held in the evening under lights. The early break of 3 riders enjoyed some TV time but the stage was always going to see a sprint finish down the final straight.
MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had Andy Stauff mixing it up through the final few chicanes and would go on to finish in 15th position at the line. The overall race victory went to the Colombian from Orica-Greenedge, Esteban Chaves, as he finished safely in the peloton.
“Today was the last stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour and Andy Stauff was our best placed rider, finishing in the top 15. So finally after a long and very successful season, our last race weekend has concluded. Unfortunately we did not have the power left to make a big impact like we had hoped this weekend. Our most motivated rider for the race, Youcef Reguigui also couldn't start the event which didn't help our cause but we did what we could. Songezo [Jim] spent a day in the best young rider jersey, he climbed well on the races GC stage too and Andy was twice finishing in the prize money positions. We have enjoyed our time at this first Abu Dhabi Tour, thanks largely to our fans that were here at the race. Once again we easily had the largest crowd of fans supporting us from the roadside and they, like all our other fans this year, were just amazing,” Jens Zemke, Head of Performance, said.
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