Ben Zwiehoff takes top ten on first mountain finish at the UAE Tour
At 185km, today's stage was the longest and also very important for the general classification, with the peloton having to tackle Jebel Jais, a 21.1km long and on average 5.4 per cent steep ascent, reaching up to 9 percent over the last two kilometres. On the climb, the peloton picked up the pace, but Emanuel Buchmann and Ben Zwiehoff managed to fight their way to the front of the reduced field. After the last escapee was caught, the race exploded on the steeper section, and over the last 10 km several attacks ensued out of the group of favourites until E. Rubio was able to break away solo and eventually claim the win. Ben and Emu reached the finish in the chasing group, with Ben finishing 10th and Emu just outside the top ten.
Result
01 E. Rubio 4:51:24
02 E. Evenepoel +0:14
03 A. Yates +0:15
10 B. Zwiehoff +0:15
13 E. Buchmann +0:15
From the Finish Line
"We knew that today it would be important to take on the climb as wisely as possible. First of all, Sam, Danny, Ryan, Patrick and Shane protected us very well. When it became a bit hectic, we all stayed together and they manoeuvred us through it really well. Then they delivered us perfectly ahead of the climb, so we never had to waste too much energy. When the attacks started, we knew we had to stay cool and that the race would be decided at the very end. I tried to be at the front, but in the last sprint I lacked that extra bit of punch. But I am very, very satisfied, and 10th place in the uphill sprint is a nice birthday present." - Ben Zwiehoff
"We are very happy, and also slightly surprised, with the tenth place of our birthday boy Ben! We still had two riders in front at the end, but the climb didn't really suit Emu and Ben so well, it was perhaps a bit too flat. Our sprinters were able to take it easy for tomorrow and we are looking forward to the fourth stage, which will definitely end in a bunch sprint. And we'll try to play a role there yet again." - Bernhard Eisel, Sports Director