Australian pocket-rocket sprinter stars in: Hatta Dam – the rerun
Stage 2, UAE Tour
Caleb Ewan knows how to ride the incline to the top of Hatta Dam. Knows when to push on those 17% inclines. Knows how long he can sustain his effort before lack of oxygen and lactic acid renders his muscles unusable, and he used that knowledge to to take back to back wins. The Lotto Soudal fastman did not panic when Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep) launched early, he merely waited for the opportune moment to hunt him down in final agonising metres. As Bennett tied up, Ewan carried on accelerating to victory. It was a masterclass in timing and effort. Arnaud Demare (Groupama – FDJ) rounded out the podium.
Ewan’s winnning margin, plus finish-line bonifications, see him take the race lead by 12secs from Bennett and 16secs from Demare. Although with two climbing stages to come his sojourn in red may well be short-lived.
Bonus seconds are likely to play a huge part in deciding the winner in this race, especially as time gaps are traditionally always tight at the top. Many riders with their eyes on the GC prize were certainly alert to any potential seconds up for grabs.
You have to hand it to a finish that produces this as a top ten. Not often you see sprinting, classics and climbing specialists mixing it up.
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