After two sprint stages, the UAE Tour general classification battle began to heat up on day 3 with a 9 kilometre time trial based in Ajman.
The best finisher for the Emirati squad was reigning UAE Tour champion Tadej Pogačar with a time of 10:02 in fourth place, averaging a blistering speed of 53.9kmph.
He was followed closely behind by his teammates Joao Almeida and Mikkel Bjerg who finished in 5th and 6th place respectively. The stage honours went to Stefan Bissegger (EF-EasyPost) who also becomes the new race leader.
Pogačar : “It was a really fast course with a big tail wind on the way out and then on the way back it was just down to raw power. I did my strongest 10 minutes ever so I’m pretty happy, it was a good day out and we’re looking strong for the next days.
Joao and Mikkel were well up there today also so in the team the guys are all up around the top. We’re all feeling good and in fine shape for the rest of this race. Tomorrow the first mountain stage will be another big test.”
Tomorrow the first mountain stage which will surely see another shake-up in the general classification from Fujairah Fort to Jebel Jais (181km).
Stage 3 results
- Stefan Bissegger (EF-EasyPost) 9:43
- Filippo Ganna (Ineos) +7’’
- Tom Domoulin (Jumbo Visma) +14’’
4.Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +18’’ General classification after Stage 3 - Stefan Bissegger (EF-EasyPoint) 9:13:02
2.Filippo Ganna (Ineos) +7’’
3.Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) +12’’
5.Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +18’’
