2018
Rui Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi) wins Stage 3, Al Maryah Island Stage, of the Abu Dhabi Tour and takes the Red Jersey
Jebel Hafeet, 25 February 2017 – The Portuguese rider Rui Alberto Faria da Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi) won Stage 3 of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour, the 186km queen stage of the race, from Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet, thereby taking the lead in the overall General Classification. On the podium he was rewarded with the race leader's Red Jersey, sponsored by Al Maryah Island.
STAGE RESULT
1 - Rui Alberto Faria da Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi) 186km in 4h34’08”, average speed 40.710km/h
2 - Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha Alpecin) s.t.
3 - Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 10"
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Rui Alberto Faria da Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi)
2 - Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha Alpecin) at 4"
3 - Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 16"
4 - Bauke Mollema (Trek - Segafredo) at 38"
5 - Rafal Majka (Bora - Hansgrohe) at 56"
JERSEYS
- The Red Jersey, sponsored by the Al Maryah Island (General individual classification by time) - Rui Alberto Faria da Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi)
- The Green Jersey, sponsored by Nation Towers (General individual classification by points) - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
- The White Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1992) - Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors)
- The Black Jersey, sponsored by Etihad Airways (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Marco Canola (Nippo - Vini Fantini)
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the winner and new Red Jersey said: "I started the final climb a long way back and I had to put a lot of effort in to reach the front of the peloton. When I got there I realised that my legs were good and I tried to surprise the others with an attack from a long way out. That was the right tactic. I was still suffering from the initial effort so I saved myself with Zakarin at the end to recuperate for the final sprint. For us it was very important to have a great result here. I can’t say I was under pressure but psychologically I knew we had to perform at our best. We won and there couldn’t be a better result. We are extremely happy for this victory here in Abu Dhabi, with a new sponsor and a brand new jersey. I’m very happy with this victory that will boost my morale for the remainder of the season".
Press conference interviews and further details to follow.
TOMORROW'S STAGE
Stage 4 – Yas Island Stage (143km)
Entirely raced on Yas Marina Circuit
Sign-on procedures: 16:45-18:05
Alignment: 18:10
Start - KM 0: 18:15
Finish: Approx. 21:15
Race Headquarters: Yas Marina Circuit Press Room, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
ROUTE
The final stage is entirely on Yas Island. There are 26 laps of the Yas Marina circuit, each of 5.5km with three Intermediate Sprints as we count down to the finale. The first Intermediate Sprint is on lap 11 with 15 laps to go, the second at 10 laps to go and the last Intermediate Sprint comes with just five laps to go.
In 2015, during the Yas Island Stage, for the first time ever in a men's professional road race, live on-board bike camera footage was made available and used for live television race coverage.
Last km
On the perfect tarmac of a 5.5km Formula 1 circuit with wide roads and large, sweeping bends. The final 250 metres are on straight, flat asphalt.
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