Estonia’s Kangert wins Abu Dhabi Tour

British rider Cavendish claims Yas Island stage

Estonian rider Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) won the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour from Nicolas Roche (Team Sky).

Third in the General Classication was Diego Ulissi (Lampre – Merida), fourth Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) and fifth Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).

The Yas Island Stage (143km) was won by British rider Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data), the race’s Official Ambassador, who won the Green Jersey of Points Classification.

Speaking after the stage finish, the race winner Tanel Kangert said: “I must say it was more difficult that it might look like because the corners were really tight. I was surprised they were so tight for car racing. It made the race special with the lights and the dark. In the end I was pretty tired just keeping the wheels. I can’t say there wasn’t any pressure because there was, and I felt it. I was excited to race in the leader’s jersey. It was my first time leading a professional race. I’m happy everything went well and I might be back soon to defend the title in February.”

The stage winner, Mark Cavendish, said: “I’m so happy to be the winner of the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour on the Yas Marina Circuit. There was an incredible atmosphere. I missed the race last year because I was injured and I was really jealous of the boys racing, especially on this last day. It was very fast. My team-mates controlled the group really well the whole day. I got an incredible lead out. Mark Renshaw was very calm going into the finale. I just had to jump.”

General Classification

1 – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
2 – Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) at 21″
3 – Diego Ulissi (Lampre – Merida) at 43″
4 – Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at 1’00”
5 – Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) s.t