Italy's Elia Viviani (Team Sky) Wins Stage 2 In Dubai Tour

Elia Viviani (Team Sky) won stage 2, the Nakheel Stage, of the Dubai Tour today. In second place was Mark Cavendish (Etixx – Quick-Step), who retained the race lead and will wear the Blue Jersey (sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai). Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) took third place.

Paolo Simion (Bardiani CSF), 17th in the stage, was once again the top young rider – born on or after 1 Jan 1990 – and retains the category’s White Jersey (Sponsored By RTA – The Roads And Transport Authority) for the Best Young Rider. Davide Frattini (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) took the lead in the Intermediate Sprints competition, rewarded by the UAE Flag Jersey (sponsored by Dubai Sports Channel).

After the stage, the stage winner and the race leader spoke to the press..

Stage winner Elia Viviani (Team Sky):

The lead-out: "Yesterday we were third, and after the stage we watched the video a few times to understand what we did wrong. Today was a little better with Swift in the last 500m, and I think this is the result."

Dedication: "In the first thing was for the team, in the sense that, after Team Cannondale closed down, Team Sky had faith in me. They trusted in my results, they believe in me, which is very important for me. You could see it in the teamwork that we’ve put into the first sprints I’ve taken part in for Team Sky. I’ve been in three sprints, and in all three I’ve been in a position to challenge for victory. The win has come in my third sprint, after two podium placings. It’s important for the future: it’s definitely been a good start, and I’m very happy to have been able to repay the team’s work for me. If, on the past, I’ve been in a position to win in three sprints out of 10, now I can try to win nine out of 10, that’s the big difference."

Joining the sprinting elite: "I’m happy with my first 5 years as a pro. If you look at the numbers, I’ve won 30 races, this is number 31. I’ve won a stage at the Dauphiné, I’ve had good results in the Giro d’Italia, and a stage win in Beijing. In the World Tour, I’ve always had good placings, and I’ve shown myself in the classics. What I lack is a really big win, although I’ve come close at the Giro d’Italia. This year is a key year for me. I need to go up a level, and I hope it happens this year, with my change of team, new surroundings, new motivation, and the help of the team."

Race leader: Mark Cavendish (Etixx – Quick-Step):

Second to Viviani: "Today, to be fair, obviously I’d like to win, I’m disappointed with second, but I take a lot of positives form my sprint like the power I put out and how Etixx – Quick-Step rode, you know Etixx – Quick-Step rode really strong all day, it was windy, it was hard to stay up there. In the final, we got just caught on the wrong side, unfortunately. We lost the drag race into the final turn. The wind was coming in the final 3km from the sea, from the left, so you really wanted to be on the right, but we lost the drag race so we take the left hand side out of the corner. It just took its toll on me a little bit. The team managed to get to the front and take control, which is really positive, but I was just a little bit on the limit before I started my sprint. Still happy with power I made in the sprint, but I was just lacking a bit of zip. Guardini went. I knew he’d gone too early, but, just as luck would have it, Viviani was on his wheel and he could launch off him. I was able to come back at them it took me a while to get up to top speed today. But it’s OK. I’ve been beaten by Viviani before, and I’ll be beaten by him again, so I’m not disappointed."

Defending the jersey tomorrow: "I’ll try. Anything’s possible. I don’t really think I’ll win the stage but I’ll give everything I can to try and defend the jersey."as a unit and win."

Tomorrow’s Jerseys

BLUE JERSEY (SPONSORED BY THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF DUBAI)

(Overall race leader): Mark Cavendish (ETIXX - QUICK-STEP)

RED JERSEY (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES)

(overall points classification leader): Mark Cavendish leads the competition, but the jersey will be worn by Elia Viviani (TEAM SKY)

UAE FLAG JERSEY (SPONSORED BY DUBAI SPORTS CHANNEL)

(intermediate sprints classification leader): Davide Frattini (UNITEDHEALTHCARE PRO CYCLING)

WHITE JERSEY (SPONSORED BY THE RTA - THE ROADS AND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY)

(best young rider, born on or after 1 Jan 1990): Paolo Simion (BARDIANI CSF)

Tomorrow’s schedule: Friday 6 February – Stage 3: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Stage (205km)

Riders’ signing in & team presentations: 8:30am at Dubai International Marine Club-Mina Seyahi

Roll out: 10:05am at Dubai International Marine Club-Mina Seyahi

Stage Finish: 15:05 to 15:26* at Hatta Dam, Dubai

Press Conference: at Hatta Dam, Dubai after the TV interviews in the Mix Zone

* Estimated

For more information, please contact SHIFT Active Media's Manolo Bertocchi:

Cycling Press Office RCS Sport

Ph. (+44) 01225 448333

Ph.: (+44) 7979 241227

E-mail: manolo@shiftactivemedia.com

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only