Adam Yates produced a devastating display of power riding to the summit of Jebel Hafeet to secure a resounding Stage 3 victory in the UAE Tour on Tuesday.
The Mitchelton-Scott British rider crossed the finishing line in Al Ain a minute and two seconds ahead of the UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogacar, in a performance that also earned him the General Classification leader’s Red Jersey.
Yates kicked clear five kilometres from the finishing line and then got stronger and stronger on the uphill road to go further and further away from his closest challenger Pocagar.
“I attacked early because, this race being the first of the season for me, it was hard to know how everyone was going,” Yates said.
“I just really wanted to test my legs and see where I am, so I attacked maybe a little too early, but in the end I felt good.
“There were a few guys who started to come up and I could see behind they started to get organised and there was a bit of a chase, so I just committed, and if they came back they came back, but in the end I felt good and managed to stay away.”
Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) chased Yates when he first broke away from the group 6km from the finishing line.
Lutsenko and Gaudu both could not match the pace of Yates. Pocagar then made his move a kilometre later but that would prove a too late for the Slovenian rider.
However, it was an excellent effort from Pocagar to take the first podium for the host team after Diego Ulissi narrowly missed out in taking third spot on Monday’s Stage 2.
“It was extremely hot today, so for me on a climb like that in those temperatures it was a really good ride and I’m pleased,” Pocagar said after the 184km stage that included an energy-sapping 10.8km climb up the Jebel Hafeet.
“There are still three stages with another big mountain stage and the chance of crosswinds tomorrow so it’s not over yet. We have a strong team here so will try something for sure.”
The Stage 3 result moved Yates a minute and seven seconds in front of Pocagar in the GC.
“A minute is a lot, but we have to do this climb again [on Thursday’s Stage 5], and maybe my legs won't be so good then,” Yates said of the remaining stages of the seven-day Tour.
“Also, tomorrow I heard a rumour there are going to be crosswinds, so we'll see. I've got a good group around me and I'll try and hold onto the lead as long as possible.”
Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France winner, finished with a creditable 67 spot finish, 10min 49sec off the winner, in his first race since a career threatening injury eight months ago.
“It feels amazing just to be back in the peloton again,” he told cyclingnews before the start of Stage 3. “I’m definitely not at my normal shape, where I left off eight months ago, but I’ll get there.
“I’m confident that I’ll get there after these first few days. This has been a great step forward. I’ve still got a lot of training to do ahead of the Tour de France but this is a good step and the body is feeling good.”
Wednesday’s 173km Stage 4 starts from Zabeel Park, crosses Mushrif Park and Motor City before finishing at Dubai City Walk.
