Dubai Tour 2015: John Degenkolb wins at 17% arrival!

Five escapees try their luck and race to 9 minutes gap, but with 38 kilometres left the last two of them are reeled in. It all boils down to the finale with a 17% closing climb. John Degenkolb is brutal and powers to the win. (Slideshow route/profile)

Dubai Tour 2015: Results 3rd stage

1. John Degenkolb (Ger)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.02
3. Juan José Lobato (spa) s.t.
4. Filippo Pozzato (ita) s.t.
5. Marco Canola (ita) s.t.
6. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
7. Grega Bole (slo) s.t.
8. Brent Bookwalter (USA) + 0.07
9. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
10. Edgar Pinto (por) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. John Degenkolb (Ger)
2. Mark Cavendish (gbr) + 0.04
3. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.06
4. Juan José Lobato (spa) + 0.08
5. Alessandro Bazzana (ita) + 0.11
6. Grega Bole (slo) + 0.12
7. Marco Canola (ita) s.t.
8. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
9. Filippo Pozzato (ita) s.t.
10. Edgar Pinto (por) + 0.17

Race report
The five escapees are Verschoor, Al Murawwi, Gusev, Pibernik and Bazzana. They race to a maximum gap of 9 minutes, with Pibernik and Bazzana the last warriors upfront. With 38 kilometres left they are caught by a group with the stronger climbers. Race-leader Mark Cavendish is 1 minute down.

Just when the group-Cavendish closes the gap, Mancebo attacks. The Spaniard races to a 1’35” gain with 15 kilometres left. But then the roads starts to really undulate and the seconds disappear with every pedal-stroke. Mendebo gets caught by Lars Boom en with 6 kilometer to go the two are reeled in.

It all boils down to the final few hundred metres with John Degenkolb attacking. The German puts in all his pure sprint power and climbs to the win. Incredible, a sprinter turned puncheur! Valverde is second and because Cavendish loses seconds on the closing climb Degenkolb is the new leader.

Degenkolb’s gain is only 4 seconds, so tomorrow will bring spectacle with the Dubai Tour probably being won by bonus-seconds. A Degenkolb-Cavendish clash!