UAE Tour 2019: Valverde wins 3rd stage, Roglic retains GC lead

Following a flat race the finale of the UAE Tour's 3rd stage is on the climb that formerly punctuated the Abu Dhabi Tour. Valverde turns out on top Jebel Hafeet, while Roglic finishes in second to stay in the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3nd stage UAE Tour 2019

1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
3. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.
4. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.04
5. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.12
6. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.33
7. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
8. James Knox (gbr) + 0.35
9. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
10. Jan Hirt (cze) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.14
3. David Gaudu (fra) + 0.31
4. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.39
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.47
6. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.54
7. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.57
8. Victor de la Parte (spa) + 1.05
9. James Knox (gbr) + 1.07
10 Davide Formolo (ita) + 1.08

Race report
The breakaway features almost the same riders as yesterday: Planet, Boev, Kuriyanov and 'newcomer' Calabria. The four widen up a gap of more than 4 minutes adrift before the peloton takes them on a leash. The break is reeled in inside the last 80 kilometres and a closed bunch reaches the foot of Jebel Hafeet.

Diego Ulissi and Patrick Bevin open up a small gap, while Robert Power bridges across, but they are brought back with 6 kilometres to go. Richie Porte and Vincenzo Nibali can't follow the pace.

Laurens De Plus sets a ferocious pace and with 4 kilometres left his leader Primoz Roglic takes over. Dan Martin, David Gaudu and Emanuel Buchmann join him. Alejandro Valvere jumps across when the climb flattens out 2 kilometres before the top, while Martin is dropped.

The World Champion opens up the sprint and holds off Roglic to taste his first success in the rainbow jersey. The Slovenian retain his overall lead with Valverde now in second at 14 seconds. Gaudu sits in third, 31 seconds down on the race lead.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage UAE Tour 2019.