UAE Tour 2020: Ewan wins atop Hatta Dam to take race lead

It comes down to the steep climb up the Hatta Dam in the 2nd stage of the UAE Tour. Caleb Ewan powers to the win on the punchy ascent to move into the GC lead. Sam Bennet finishes in second on the dam. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage UAE Tour 2020

1. Caleb Ewan (aus)
2. Sam Bennett (irl) + 0.02
3. Arnaud Démare (fra) + 0.04
4. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
5. Rick Zabel (ger) s.t.
6. Andrea Vendrame (ita) s.t.
7. Luka Mezgec (slo) s.t.
8. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
9. Tadej Pogacar (slo) s.t.
10. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Caleb Ewan (aus)
2. Sam Bennett (irl) + 0.12
3. Arnaud Démare (fra) + 0.16
4. Nikolay Cherkasov (rus) + 0.17
5. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz) + 0.19
6. Luka Mezgec (slo) + 0.20
7. Andrea Vendrame (ita) s.t.
8. Rick Zabel (ger) s.t.
9. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
10. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.

Race report
Tortomasi and Stojic break clear just after the start. The duo opens up a gap of more than 4 minutes before the peloton takes control.

Stojnic stops his efforts with 50 kilometres remaining when the gap has fallen to 1 minute. A moment later Alexey Lutsenko takes 1 bonus second in the second intermediate sprint.

The peloton brings Tortomasi back with 24 kilometres remaining, while leader Pascal Ackermann is dropped on a climb inside the last 11 kilometres. A moment later Victor Campenaerts strikes and Nicola Conci joins him.

The Belgian-Italian combo opens a 20 seconds gap, but the catch is made before the final drag.

Sam Bennett opens up the sprint halfway up the steep Hatta Dam. Caleb Ewan goes with him, only to overhaul the Irish champion on the double digit ramps in the last hundred metres. Stage win and leader’s jersey for the Australian sprinter!

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2020 UAE Tour.