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Viviani wins Stage 2 of Abu Dhabi Tour, takes lead

October 9, 2015
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Italian Elia Viviani of Sky took the second bunch of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour Friday and assumed the race lead from Thursday’s sprint winner, compatriot Andrea Guardini (Astana). In the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Viviani came around world champion Peter Sagan (Slovakia/Tinkoff-Saxo) for the win.

A six-man breakaway fought to open up and keep a gap as the course doubled back on itself from the start at the Yas Marina. Back in the peloton Tom Boonen (Belgium/Etixx-QuickStep) and Theo Bos (The Netherlands/MTN-Qhubeka) had to abandon after a crash.

By the time the race entered the first of five 7.6-km circuits around Marina Island, the fugitives were down to three, though they still held over 2:00 over the bunch. The reduction of the escape came about at least in part from an extraordinary incident at an intermediate sprint when UnitedHealthcare’s Italian Frederico Zurlo rode Paul Voss into the gutter, nearly causing the Bora-Argon 18 German to crash. Voss retaliated with a blow that saw him disqualified.

With Movistar and BMC working in the peloton, the break was caught with 15-km remaining, prompting several attacks that were marked. Viviani found Sagan’s wheel in the final surge and swung around him to take seventh triumph of the season. Etixx-QuickStep took solace in having Fabio Sabatini (Italy) stand on the day’s podium.

Saturday is the queen stage, one that will go a long way to determine the final podium of the Abu Dhabi Tour. A stiff, 11.5-km climb leads to the finish at Jebel Hafeet.

2015 Abu Dhabi Tour Stage 2
1) Elia Viviani (Italy/Sky) 3:02:07
2) Peter Sagan (Slovakia/Tinkoff-Saxo) s.t.
3) Fabio Sabatini (Italy/Etixx-QuickStep) s.t.

2015 Abu Dhabi Tour GC
1) Elia Viviani (Italy/Sky) 7:23:08
2) Andrea Guardini (Italy/Astana) s.t.
3) Peter Sagan (Slovakia/Tinkoff-Saxo) +0:04

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