Kangert storms to Abu Dhabi Tour title
abu dhabi — Astana Pro Team rider Tanel Kangert won the second edition of Abu Dhabi Tour on Sunday. The fourth stage – the Yas Island Stage – was clinched by Team Dimension Data rider Mark Cavendish.
Estonian rider Kangert had won the Al Ain-Jebel Hafeet Strata Stage mountain climb, which helped him claim overall lead and win the general classification. Nicolas Roche of Team Sky came second, Diego Ulissi of Lampre-Merida was third, Vincenzo Nibali of Astana Pro Team fourth and Tinkoff ’s Alberto Contador came fifth among 102 riders.
Red Jersey winner Kangert was ecstatic after leading a professional race for the first time.
“I must say it was more difficult than it might look like because the corners were really tight. I was surprised they were so tight for car racing. It made the race special with the lights and the dark. In the end, I was pretty tired just keeping the wheels. I can’t say there wasn’t any pressure because there was, and I felt it. I was excited to race in the leader’s jersey. It was my first time leading a professional race. I’m happy everything went well and I might be back soon to defend the title in February.”
British rider Cavendish, the race’s official ambassador, had won the Stage 2 too. He finished the 143-km stage in 3 hours, seven minutes and 44 seconds and won the green jersey on point classification.
Cavendish said: “I’m so happy to be the winner of the final stage. It was an incredible atmosphere. I missed the race last year because I was injured. I was really jealous of the boys racing, especially on this last day. It was very fast. My teammates controlled the group really well the whole day. I got an incredible lead out. Mark Renshaw was very calm going into the finale. I just had to jump.”
Julien Bernard of Trek-Segafredo got the white jersey for Best Young Rider. Jens Keukeleire of Orica – BikeExchange won the black jersey on Intermediate Sprint Classification.