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German cyclist Marcel Kittel wins first leg of Dubai Tour

Xinhua, February 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Elite cyclist Marcel Kittel from the team Etixx Quick Step won on Wednesday the opening stage of the annual Dubai Tour race which began in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sheikhdom of Fujeirah, beating British defending champion Mark Cavendish from Dimension Data.

Kittel, aged 27, crossed the finishing line of the first leg of the four-day Dubai Tour with a time of 3 hours 25 minutes and 11 seconds. His arch rival Cavendish came four seconds behind at the finish line in Fujeirah. The 173-kilometer first leg started amid sunny weather and refreshing temperatures around 20 degrees during the day at the man-made Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai and led the pack to the emirate of Fujeirah.

While last year's Dubai Tour champion, 30-year-old Cavendish was cycling close behind Kittel he failed to pass him during the mountainous track in Fujeirah. Kittel also snatched the blue jersey because of time bonuses at the finish making him the first overall leader of the third annual professional road bicycle racing stage race in the Gulf sheikhdom.

Italian cyclist Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) finished third with six seconds behind Kittel.

Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) finished fourth, Andrea Palini (SkyDive Dubai) was fifth.

The race will continue on Thursday with the 183-kilometer stage two across Dubai. Endit