UAE Tour 2019 stage 2: Gaviria sprints to victory, Roglic still leader

The UAE Tour stays in Abu Dhabi for its 2nd stage, which is played out on a pan-flat course. Alexander Kristoff leads-out Fernando Gaviria, who wins ahead of Elia Viviani and Caleb Ewan. Primoz Roglic retains the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage UAE Tour 2019

1. Fernando Gaviria (col)
2. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
3. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
4. Kristoffer Halvorsen (nor) s.t.
5. Erik Baska (slo) s.t.
6. Sam Bennett (irl) s.t.
7. Sacha Modolo (ita) s.t.
8. Marcel Kittel (ger) s.t.
9. Marc Sarreau (fra) s.t.
10. Jakub Mareczko (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Jos van Emden (nld) s.t.
3. Laurens De Plus (bel) s.t.
4. Koen Bouwman (nld) s.t.
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.06
6. Max Walscheid (ger) + 0.07
7. Tom Dumoulin (nld) s.t.
8. Nikias Arndt (ger) s.t.
9. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.09
10. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.

Race report
Once the flag is dropped two riders jump clear and two more bridge across. Igor Boev, Sam Brand, Charles Planet and Stepan Kuriyanov widen the gap to more than 11 minutes before the peloton up the pace.

The lead drops steadily until the peloton splits due to crosswinds. Richie Porte, Dan Martin, Elia Viviani, Wilco Kelderman and Tom Dumoulin wind up in the second echelon and the first group reels in the breakaway. The race comes all back together ahead of the final 70 kilometres.

Planet and Kuriyanov once again head out together to open up a new gap of more than 5 minutes. Wilco Kelderman pockets the only remaining bonus second in the second intermediate sprint.

With 14 kilometres remaining the leading duo is brought back and in the ensuing bunch sprint Fernando Gaviria receives a royal lead-out. Alexander Kristoff brings the Colombian to the final straight, where he bests Elia Viviani on the line. Caleb Ewan takes third.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2019 UAE Tour.