After more than three hours at the front of the bunch on 2015 Dubai Tour's day three, the Movistar Team left empty-handed, without a fourth win of the season they truly proved to deserve. The riders directed by José Luis Jaimerena did an immense effort to control the race for most of the Queen stage, over 205km from the emirate's capital to the Hatta Dam (200m at 14%, slopes peaking 17%) including some climbs in its finale.

Pablo Lastras took command in the group as the day's original, five-man break gained nine minutes of advantage. After more than 60k pulling on front, the Spaniard reduced the gap to just over 2', later helped out by Adriano Malori. The later impulse by Castroviejo, Herrada and Capecchi contributed to chase the escape and also a dangerous counter from Mancebo (SKD), caught  with only 4km remaining. Visconti completed the lead-out, already under the flamme rouge, before a decisive ramp where Lobato, again from behind, and Valverde unsuccessfully combated an impressive John Degenkolb (TGA).

The German won by two seconds over Valverde, 2nd, and Lobato, 3rd, which leaves Valverde and Lobato in third and fourth spots of the overall, only Cavendish (EQS) getting in the mix between the day's protagonist. The race will come to a close on Saturday after a flat, 123km journey that will end just next to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

"There was a slowdown in the last corner and we were in a wrongplace  tackling the final climb, a mistake that cost us the win," Valverde said.