Abu Dhabi Tour 2017: Rui Costa takes Queen Stage and overall lead
The decisive stage in the Abu Dhabi Tour travels to the 10.8 kilometres closing climb up to Jebel Hafeet. Rui Costa attacks with 7 kilometres remaining and he is accompanied by Ilnur Zakarin. The former World Champion is fastest in the sprint, while Quintana and Contador stare each other down and finish 1 minute in arrears. (Slideshow route/profile)
Results 3rd stage 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour
1. Rui Costa (por)
2. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
3. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.10
4. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.28
5. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.46
6. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
7. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
8. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.58
13. Alberto Contador (spa) + 1.01
15. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 1.05
GC after 3rd stage
1. Rui Costa (por)
2. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) +0.04
3. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.16
4. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.38
5. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.56
6. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
7. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
8. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Nairo Quintana (col) + 1.08
Race report
Shortly after the start, Simone Andreetta, Pavel Brutt, Stephen Clancy and Alan Marangoni break clear. In no-time the quartet races to a comfortable lead with a maximum of 5 minutes.
When hitting the closing climb the break is history.
Movistar attacks the climb at a stirring pace and Quintana goes with 10 kms remaining. Yet, he is brought back.
Rui Costa is off with 7 kms to go. He is accompanied by Ilnur Zakarin. Quintana and Contador open the chase, but without success. Dumoulin and Kruijswijk are next to try and bridge over. Kruijswijk doesn’t make it and he is joined by Bardet and Mollema. The last one leaves the other two behind.
In the flatter section near the top Dumoulin is closing in on the leaders, but the time trialist falls short and the race boils down to a sprint-à-deux. Costa outsprints Zakarin to take the overall lead.
Without crashes the former World Champion will win the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour as tomorrow’s stage is tailor made for sprinters.
Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 stage 3: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Rui Costa
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Overview - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Caleb Ewan outsprints Mark Cavendish, Rui Costa GC winner - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Kittels bests Ewan by millimetres, Cav still leader - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Cav outpowers Greipel to take take leaders jersey - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 1: Madinat Zayed - Madinat Zayed - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 2: Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 4: Criterium on F1 Yas Marina circuit - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 More articles Giro 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan - Bordeaux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 8: Libourne - Limoges
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 14: Annemasse - Morzine
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 15: Les Gets - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 16: Passy - Combloux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 17: Sallanches - Courchevel
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 20: Belfort - Le Markstein
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 21: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - Paris
Giro 2023 Route stage 1: Fossacesia - Ortona
Giro 2023 Route stage 2: Teramo - San Salvo
Giro 2023 Route stage 3: Vasto - Melfi
Giro 2023 Route stage 4: Venosa - Lago Laceno
Giro 2023 Route stage 5: Atripalda - Salerno
Giro 2023 Route stage 6: Naples - Naples
Giro 2023 Route stage 7: Capua - Gran Sasso
Giro 2023 Route stage 8: Terni - Fossombrone
Giro 2023 Route stage 9: Savignano sul Rubicone - Cesena
Giro 2023 Route stage 10: Scandiano - Viareggio
Cycling Calendar 2023
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!
Profile 3rd stage
Climb details Jebel Hafeet
Route and profile Jebel Hafeet
Climb details Jebel Hafeet in 3D
Start and finish at Google Maps
Instagram @abudhabitouroff…
Abu Dhabi Tour Tweets