Bauhaus edges out Kittel

Abu Dhabi : Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb) took a photo finish win on stage 3 of the Abu Dhabi Tour. Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) took second, and Pascal Ackerman (Bora-hansgrohe) repeated his third place of the previous stage. 

Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) finished fourth on the stage, and retained his overall lead.

“To expect to win is difficult. I knew that I was going well at home and my goal was to take a podium or a win and I am super happy that I was able to do it. It’s really nice. We have a super strong team and I am really happy that it worked out here,” Bauhaus said.

With five riders crossing the finish line almost simultaneously, a photo finish was required, with the decision finally falling in Bauhaus’ favour. It was Team Sunweb’s first win of the season, making them the last WorldTour team to claim a victory.

A four-man group was away for the first half of the stage, but things stayed together after that. The expected wind and echelons made only brief appearances.

“We did a good job again as a team with lead out men Alvaro Hodeg and Fabio Sabatini,” Viviani said after the stage. “We came out of the last corner at the front. But in this Abu Dhabi Tour, the win is always a factor. It was another head wind sprint. Bauhaus had the strength to come from the back. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, we have to accept it. However, I’m happy with my team again today.” 

Results 

Nation Towers to Big Flag, 133km

1. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Team Sunweb, in 3 hrs 02 min 55 secs

2. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin

3. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe

4. Elia Viviani (Ita) Quick-Step Floors

5. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott

6. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal

7. Rudy Barbier (Fra) Ag2r La Mondiale

8. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates

9. Danny van Poppel (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo

10. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Bardiani CSF, all at same time

General classification

1. Elia Viviani (Ita) Quick-Step Floors, in 11 hrs 06 min 36 secs

2. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates, at 3 secs

3. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Team Sunweb, at same time

4. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 5 secs

5. Danny van Poppel (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 7 secs