Abu Dhabi Tour 2018: Bauhaus bests Kittel in millimetres sprint, Viviani still in lead

The 3rd stage at the Abu Dhabi Tour boils down to yet another sprint. Phil Bauhaus bests Marcel Kittel in a photo-finish sprint. Elia Viviani comes in fourth and holds on to the leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2018 Abu Dhabi Tour

1. Phil Bauhaus (ger)
2. Marcel Kittel (ger) s.t.
3. Pascal Ackermann (ger) s.t.
4. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
5. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
6. Andre Greipel (ger) s.t.
7. Rudy Barbier (fra) s.t.
8. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
9. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
10. Andrea Guardini (ita) s.t.

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Elia Viviani (ita)
2. Alexander Kristoff (nor) + 0.03
3. Phil Bauhaus (ger) s.t.
4. Pascal Ackermann (ger) + 0.05
5. Danny van Poppel (nld) + 0.07
6. Marcel Kittel (ger) s.t.
7. Caleb Ewan (aus) + 0.09
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.10
9. Tom Skujins (lat) s.t.
10. Alessandro Tonelli (ita) s.t.

Race report
Maronose, Firsanov, Rolland and Brand jump clear to race to a lead of more than 2 minutes. But the gap comes down quickly and with 53 kms to go they are caught.

On an exposed section with 44 kms to go the peloton splits. Kristoff hits the deck, but shortly it all comes back together.

No attacks in the remaining kms and the race boils down to a bunch sprint. Caleb Ewan opens but Elia Viviani comes speeding past him. Yet, the leader can't make it to the line as three Germans come storming past him, Phil Bauhaus, Marcel Kittel and Pascal Ackermann.