Abu Dhabi Tour 2017: Kittels bests Ewan by millimetres, Cav still leader

The route of the 2nd stage in the Abu Dhabi Tour is a sprinter's dream. Yesterday's Kittel-Cav-Greipel-Ewan clash turned sour after a crash in the last kilometre - today the world’s best sprinters go head-to-head in a dramatic finale. Kittel outsprints Ewan with the tiniest of margins, while Cav holds on to the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Abu Dhabi Tour

1. Marcel Kittel (ger)
2. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
3. Mark Cavendish (gbr) s.t.
4. Matteo Pelucchi (ita) s.t.
5. Phil Bauhaus (ger) s.t.
6. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
7. Andrea Guardini (ita) s.t.
8. Eduard Michael Grosu (rum) s.t.
9. André Greipel (ger) s.t.
10. Alexander Porsev (rus) s.t.

GC after 2nd stage
1. Mark Cavendish (gbr)
2. Marcel Kittel (ger) + 0.04
3. André Greipel (ger) + 0.08
4. Marco Canola (ita) s.t.
5. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
6. Manuele Mori (ita) s.t.
7. Niccolo Bonifazio (ita) + 0.10
8. Fabio Calabria (aus) + 0.11
9. Mirco Maestri (ita) + 0.12
10. Kaushige Kuboki (jap) s.t.

Race report
With 2 kms done the break of the day takes shape when Boem, De Marchi, Sveshnikov, Canola and Calabri slip clear. They race to a lead of 2 minutes but the peloton is keeping a close eye on them. The lead never exceeds 2'30".

The last escapees, De Marchi and Canola, are brought back with 2.2 kms remaining and the race boils down to a clash of giants.

Caleb Ewan and Mark Cavendish go shoulder-to-shoulder. It looks like the Australian has the power and speed to take Cav's scalp and he even raises his arms as he hits the line. But at the same he sees a big German on his right, besting him by millimetres. Cavendish finihses in third and holds on to his leaders jersey.

Tomorrow brings the Queen Stage with a summit finish after a 10.8 kilometres climb.