Team Colombia-Coldeportes’ Daniel Martinez showed more promising signs in the final race of his first pro season, coming 20th in stage three of the Abu Dhabi Tour, the hardest one on the menu: 140 km between Al Ain and the uphill finish of Jebel Hafeet.

Winner of the day was another Colombian, former Team Colombia-Coldeportes rider Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge), who came home ahead of Fabio Aru (Astana) and Wout Poels (Team Sky), the latter being at the front until the last turn, when he was struck by bad luck and crashed, after a stage which saw high temperatures hampering again the peloton.

The 19-year-old Daniel Martinez – youngest rider in the Pro Continental circuit this season – is now placed on 20th place in the general classification, 4:02 behind Chaves, who is leading the standings.

Tomorrow, the inaugural edition of the Middle East race will conclude with the final stage (110 km), which is due to take place on the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.

Unlike Abu Dhabi, Giro dell’Emilia had plenty of rain. Belgium’s Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale) won the Italian classic which finished on the San Luca climb, ahead of breakaway companions Andrea Fedi (Southeast) and Angel Madrazo (Caja Rural). Team Colombia-Coldeportes’ Miguel Angel Rubiano finished in 24th place, after Fabio Duarte was among the ones who tried to go into the escape in the first part of the race, unfortunately with no success.

Tomorrow, the team led by Valerio Tebaldi will conclude the season at the Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli, which was won two years ago by Leonardo Duque.