BAHRAIN MERIDA’s Sonny ends Dubai Tour on strong note

Dubai, Feb.4 (BNA): BAHRAIN MERIDA Cycling Team’s Sonny Colberlli signed off from the Dubai Tour on strong note, finishing ninth in the last stage (5) of the event. Meanwhile, Marcel Kittel of QuickStep Floors stamped his authority on the Dubai Tour by winning the final stage, his third of the race, and the overall title, on Saturday. The German edged out Elia Viviani (Team Sky) and Riccardo Minali (Astana Pro Team) in the finale, with Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) suffering a mechanical in the sprint and fading to fourth. The 5th stage is a “sightseeing stage”. It passed through Meydan Racecourse and Mushrif Park before it reached the beaches of Al Mamzar. At that point there was a breakaway by 4 riders including our Ivan Garcia Cortina. The stage passed then through Deira, Al Maktoum Bridge and Old Town, before it reached Union Flag where the last intermediate sprint has been won by DimitryGruzdev. Cortina won first intermediate sprint. The race continued through Jumeirah road, U-turned at Burj Al Arab before reaching City Walk and the finish line. It was as expected a group sprint in which nobody was even close to beat incredible Marcel Kittel. This is his third win this Dubai Tour and he retained the overall title won last year. BAHRAIN MERIDA’s Sports Director Alberto Volpi said immediately after the race: “I think the guys worked really hard, our train led peloton 10km to go, but I think this was too early to come to the front, it would be ideal with 3-4km to go.“