Today it was an important test at the end of the 3rd stage of Dubai Tour. The stage finished, 205 km after the start from Dubai, on a demanding hill in Hatta: less than 1 km but a severe gradient (max 17%).

Filippo Pozzato obtained a very good result, reaching the finish line in 4th position, behind the winner Degenkolb, Valverde and Lobato. The gap to the winner who attacked at 200 metres to go, was 2", so the Lampre-Merida rider climbed up to  9th position in the overall standings, 12" from the new leader Degenkolb.

Lampre-Merida were protagonist all along the course, considering that Lula Pibernik joined the main breakaway of the day together with Gusev, Verschoor, Bazzana and Al Murawwi. The attackers led the race until 30 km to go, when the bunch ended the chase in view of the penultimate climb of the course. In the approach of this climb, Lampre-Merida supported Pozzato, thanks to the actions of Xu, Cimolai and Polanc. The group was reduced to 35 riders, but no one could escape and so the top riders battled on the roads of the final hill. Pozzato was in a very good position having exploited the help by Koshevoy and Valls and he could obtain a 4th place.

"Today stage was an interesting test to check my condition: I think my performance was good and the result is satisfying," Pozzato explained." Degenkolb deserved the victory, his action was very good. I want to thank my team for the support, especially Valls was great in being my lead-out man in the final kilometers when the fight for the front positions of the group was hard.

"I raced well and this fourth place gives me moral. I was unlucky with 200 meters to go. I had to brake and it is difficult to relaunch on this climb. I wanted to use a 39, but it was impossible to change, and I went up with a 53 which proved to be a bit too hard even if I matched Valverde well.

"Degenkolb? I knew he would be the man to beat, because he is a sprinter who goes very well on these climbs. He was good and lucky to come out well from the casino with 200 meters to go because today Lobato was really strong. However, I am satisfied, the feelings are really good. "

Sport director Marzano is satisfied: "It's the third day in a row that we are in the main breakaway of the stage: it's something we ask from our riders and they're great in fulfilling our request. Pibernik was very skilfull, because today the breakaway was only caught after an intense fight.

"We also appreciated the way the team worked during the stage: our riders were pedaling as an united group and they supported Pozzato in the best possible way. Good feedbacks by Pippo who obtained an interesting fourth place".