UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates) - The Team led Gaviria perfectly towards the line to fight for the sprint.

Fernando Gaviria wins the first stage available on the team’s home soil at the UAE Tour. UAE Team Emirates’s Colombian sprint star celebrates ahead of Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal).

Gaviria, who won his third race of the year, capped off stage two of the Tour. Yesterday, the team competed in the team time trial.

“I have to thanks the team for its great work and the attention it gave when the group broke up in the side-winds,” Gaviria said. “They took control of the race, which was big since our sponsors were expecting a lot from us. We had the responsibility to do well. We pulled off a big win.

Alexander Kristoff worked exceptionably well for me, bringing me into perfect position for the sprint. He’s one of the strongest riders in the world, and he proved that today in the sprint.

Now, we will have other opportunities as a team because we have a very strong team here in the UAE for all types of terrain.”

Tension grew when at 100km to race the group split due to cross-winds. The sprinters teams brought it back together later when the wind died down. They kept the speed high for a possible bunch sprint.

UAE Team Emirates protected Gaviria up until 400 metres to race when Kristoff, already a stage winner in the Tour of Oman earlier this month, launched the sprint for Gaviria.

Tomorrow, the riders face the third stage that ends with a 13km climb up Jabel Hafeet. The 179km stage should help shape the final overall classification.

Stage 2 results:

1. Fernando Gaviria (Col) UAE Team Emirates 4h36’22”

2. Elia Viviani (Ita) Deceuninck-Quick Step s.t.

3. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Lotto-Soudal s.t.

General classification after stage 2:

1. Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma 4h53’21”

2. Jos Van Emden (Ned) Jumbo-Visma s.t.

3. Laurens De Plus (Bel) Jumbo-Visma s.t.

29. Fernando Gaviria (Col) UAE Team Emirates 26″