Team Novo Nordisk Concludes 2016 Dubai Tour
06 February 2016
Race: Dubai Tour, Stage 4
Start/Finish: Dubai/Dubai Business Bay
Distance: 137km
Saturday’s final stage of the 2016 Dubai Tour began at a blistering pace, forcing the peloton to string out straightaway. After 7km, six riders managed to get clear, but no Team Novo Nordisk was able to get in the break.
Trek-Segafredo set the tempo in the peloton, and after 28km the six leaders had increased their advantage to 2:48 with an average speed of 48 km/h. Heading into the race’s final kilometers, Etixx – Quick Step took control of the peloton, setting up Marel Kittel for the stage win and overall victory.
At 67km, a CCC Sprandi Polkowice rider went down taking Team Novo Nordisk’s Nicolas Lefrançois down with him. Lefrançois was transported to the local hospital where X-rays confirmed he suffered no broken bones, and he was able to return to the race hotel a few hours later.
“Our goal today was to get a rider in the breakaway,” Team Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President of Athletics, Vassili Davidenko said. “but we missed our chance. Fortunately, in the last few kilometers Andrea Peron was able to lead out Martijn Verschoor for the final sprint, and Martijn finished in 22nd position. Overall, it was great a experience to race against best sprinters in the World. Our riders showed great teamwork at Dubai Tour, and I’m confident that results will come.”
Results:
- 1st – Marcel Kittel (Etixx – Quick Step)
- 2nd – Elia Viviani (Team Sky)
- 3rd – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka)
Team Novo Nordisk results:
- Verschoor – 22nd
- Planet – 29th
- Henttala – 38th
- Clancy – 49th
- Megias – 78th
- Lozano – 84th
- Peron – 92nd
- Lefrancois – DNF (due to crash)
(Photos: ©TDWSport)