Giacomo Nizzolo gave everything up the final short but painfully steep climb towards the Hatta Dam to finish in second place and leap into the overall lead in the Dubai Tour Friday.
The only hills in the four-day race arrived in the final kilometers of the 172-kilometer stage three, but they proved no hazard to the sprinters who ruled the punchy finale.
Juan José Lobato (Movistar) claimed the win with Silvan Dillier (BMC Racing) crossing the line in third, followed by Fabian Cancellara in fourth.
“To be honest, I didn’t know this finish, and I thought it was a bit longer, ” explained Nizzolo. “When we hit the last corner, I had in front of me only [Philippe] Gilbert and Fabian, so I was waiting a bit. When I saw Lobato coming from behind, then I thought, ‘Ah, maybe the finish is very close, so I’d better go!”
Consistency paid off for the Trek-Segafredo sprinter who notched his third successive podium in the race to shoulder the leader’s jersey. Nizzolo will take a slim two-second lead into the final stage Saturday, setting up an exciting sprint battle between second-placed Lobato and Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step), six seconds behind.
“It’s a pity to be second again, but still I can say I am happy because I have been on the podium in the two flat stages and today again on an uphill finish,” added Nizzolo. “And I am in the leader’s jersey – that’s also good news!”
“It will be hard tomorrow, but first we will enjoy tonight and tomorrow we will see.”
