Elia Viviani has crossed the finished line in a tight bunch sprint to claim the overall victory of this season’s Dubai Tour where he also received a stage win. The Rio Olympic champ gave an impressive performance throughout the 132-km final stage to become the first Italian rider to ever win the Dubai Tour.
The Quick-Step Floors rider said he was feeling amazingly good soon after he crossed the finish line and grabbing the overall victory. “This morning I was very stressed, but I tried to look relaxed. A two-second lead meant all or nothing. But we rode well as a team,” he said.
“I had six teammates leading me out in the last corner. We missed the crash by very little. Fabio Sabatini closed the gap on the four guys ahead after the crash. With 50 meters to go I understood I could win the stage. With the headwind, it would have been dangerous to launch from too far out.”
Viviani has only recently joined the new Quick Step Floors family after terminating his contract with team Sky. Initially, the contract was due to end later in 2018 but the Italian rider decided to enter the new family sooner saying that he was supper happy to move after signing a two-year deal with the new squad.
“When I signed with Quick-Step, I made a big step up. Winning sprints is my job but with this team it’s much easier. To win GC here is an important step up. I want to be one of the best sprinters in the world. This is a good start towards this goal with the great team I have now,” he added.
Our 2018 champion @eliaviviani!#DubaiTour pic.twitter.com/pFPN5y8eqL
— Dubai Tour (@dubaitour) February 10, 2018
Fifth (and last) stage results
Elia Viviani (ITA/QST) 3hr 05min 28sec
Marco Haller (AUT/TKA) same time
Adam Blythe (GB/ABS) s.t.
Jean-Pierre Drucker (LUX/MBC) s.t.
Rick Zabel (GER/TKA) s.t.
Congratulations to Elia Viviani for taking the win on Stage 5 and securing the overall title as a result; a brilliant week from the Italian sprinter.#DubaiTour pic.twitter.com/r5RXmc6KDT
— Dubai Tour (@dubaitour) February 10, 2018
Overall classification
Elia Viviani (ITA/QST) 19hr 05min 46sec
Magnus Cort Nielsen (DAN/AST) at 12sec
Sonny Colbrelli (ITA/TBM) 14
Jean-Pierre Drucker (LUX/MBC) 24
Rick Zabel (GER/TKA) s.t.
A few photos from this morning’s final sign on of the week.#DubaiTour pic.twitter.com/6j7v8B48lP
— Dubai Tour (@dubaitour) February 10, 2018
