Cycling: Huge success for the German Continental team Bike Aid. Salim Kipkemboi has won the third stage of the four-day tour. The 19-year-old Kenyan celebrates the biggest win of his career. At the same time, he ensured Bike Aid's second win of the season.
Kipkemboi with first UCI professional victory
Even before the start of the tour it was clear that today's stage would bring the decision. In addition to a prologue and two flat stages, the hilly section automatically represented the King's stage. From Dibba to Wadi Al Hilo, 116,7 kilometers had to be covered. Above all, the ending should have it all. A second category climb was followed by a first category climb. Even though the finish line went downhill for a while after that, it was clear that the climbers would have an advantage here. But at the end of the day, it was by no means the favored teams that prevailed. In the end, the German Continental team was allowed to celebrate Bike Aid. Salim kipkemboi, who just a few days ago finished second in the youngsters' classification of the Tropical Amissa Bongo was defeated in the sprint of a small escape group his colleagues. The quartet was able to break away from the decimated field of riders on the descent. In the overall standings, Kipkemboi is now fourth.
Victoria del Kenyata Salim Kipkemboi (Bike Aid). #SharjahTour pic.twitter.com/bBlT6kjxDA
— Alpe d'Huez B&T (@Alpe__dHuez) 26 January 2018
Javier Moreno takes over the yellow jersey
The Frenchman finished second behind Salim Kipkemboi Thomas Lebas (Kinan Cycling Team) in front of the Spaniard Javier Moreno (Delko Marseille Provence KTM). The last-mentioned had every reason to be happy despite being in #3, because thanks to the two previous stages he was able to put on the yellow jersey at the end of the day. Incidentally, the now 46-year-old Italian finished fourth on the day Davide rebel (Sovac-Natura4Ever). The German Nicodemus Holler from Team Bike Aid finished on #19. Despite this excellent performance, he was only fourth best in his team, which only underlines the strong team performance. The Kenyan was on #8 Suleiman Kangangi, at #17 Meron Abraham from Eritrea. In our big Velomotion interview with Nikodemus Holler and Lucas Carstensen we have already learned that the entire squad is in a strong early form. They have provided proof today at the latest.
Maillot jaune pour @JaviMorenoBazan 👏
Yellow jersey for Moreno #SharjahTour #DelkoMarseilleProvenceKTM pic.twitter.com/H4oz4IwBWR— Delko-Mars.Prov.-KTM (@Delko_MP_KTM) 26 January 2018