Tadej PogaÄar dominates again on Jebel Hafeet
The UAE Team Emirates superstar extends his lead after the first summit finish of the race.
Todays' stage video highlights are available to download below (digital media only / NO broadcast)
Jebel Hafeet, 23 February 2021 – Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates) claimed the win atop Jebel Hafeet on Stage 3 - the Strata Stage - beating Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) in a two-man sprint while Colombian national champion Sergio Higuita (EF Education - Nippo) rounded out the podium. The Slovenian has therefore extended his lead in the overall ranking. Race rival João Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick Step) has slipped to third in the GC.
PogaÄar, who dominated on the second summit finish at Jebel Hafeet last year, is only the second rider to win twice at the UAE’s iconic mountain after Alejandro Valverde (2018, 2019). The four other stage winners on the mountain top at the Abu Dhabi Tour and the UAE Tour have been Esteban Chaves, Tanel Kangert, Rui Costa and Adam Yates.
Data collected by Velon’s devices on the riders’ bikes tell a detailed story of the stage. An infographic about today's stage can be downloaded here.
DOWNLOAD
STAGE RESULT
1 - Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates), 166km in 3h58’35”, average speed 41.746km/h
2 - Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers), s.t.
3 - Sergio Andres Higuita Garcia (EF Education - Nippo), 48''
JERSEYS
- The Red Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC (General individual classification by time) - Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates)
- The Green Jersey, sponsored by Etisalat (General individual classification by points) - Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates), to be worn by Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers)
- The White Jersey, sponsored by Nakheel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1996) - Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates), to be worn by Neilson Powless (EF Education - Nippo)
- The Black Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Aviation (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - João Almeida (Deceuninck - Quick-Step)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates)
2 - Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) at 43''
3 - João Almeida (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) at 1'03''
PRESS CONFERENCE
The stage winner and red Jersey Tadej PogaÄar said in the press conference: “I’m super proud and really happy with the win. Big thanks to the team today. They truly did a good job protecting me from the wind, but also in trying to defend from all the attacks. It was a good feeling. And, by taking the victory, I gained some seconds in the GC. We are one of the best teams in the world right now and this race is a big goal for us. It’s also our first WorldTour race in the calendar, so it’s kind of a hard race to start the season with. But it’s one of our objectives this year and we're doing our best. We came in good preparation. I knew that Adam would be strong, but I was trying to suffer on his wheel, behind him because I knew I had to hold a big power output for a long time. He attacked a few times and I defended. So I’m super happy with my performance. The gap is now bigger in the GC, but it’s still not finished, anything can happen. We need to be prepared, we need to stay focused, and we need to go into the next few stages with confidence. I really like this country and always love coming back here. There’s a really good welcome, good people around here. I also like the race because it’s well organised. No one can come to cheer for us, there are no spectators around the course, but I’m super happy that all the fans are watching on TV, cheering for us and giving us motivation that way. To everybody around the world: thank you for all the support.”
The Black Jersey, João Almeida, said: “It was a hard race. It was super warm and that made it difficult. But I did a good climb and I’m happy with the result. Nobody was helping me to get back on the chasing group but I managed to not lose too much time. I think it was a positive outcome. I guess the top 3 is my goal. I’d love to be on the final podium of the UAE Tour.”
TOMORROW'S STAGE
Stage 4: Al Marjan Island - Al Marjan Island (204km), the Hope Probe Stage
Stage 4 starts and finishes on Marjan Island. The route begins by traversing the desert to reach Umm al Quwain (first intermediate sprint at km 51.3) then heads north along desert roads to Ras al Khaimah (second intermediate sprint at km 171.7) before returning to Marjan Island for the sprint finish. The entire stage follows smooth, wide and predominantly straight desert roads that may be affected by the wind (and even sand).
The final kilometers
A sprint finish on a wide, slightly bending boulevard. Arrival on asphalt.
#UAETOUR
www.theuaetour.com
