Giant Shimano's Marcel Kittel won the Tour Of Dubai Second Stage.
Three riders in Francisco Mancebo, Willie Smit of the Vini Fantini-Nippo team and Diogo Nunes of the Banco BIC-Carmim got away on the a second 122km stage of the 2.1 race in its first ever running from Dubai to Palm Jumeirah, which took in many of the Emirates sporting venues including the race tracks and cricket grounds.
BMC working for Taylor Phinney in the leader's blue jersey after his Prologue win and Steve Cummings in his points jersey, could only get a maximum of two minutes away.
Nunes was shed into the final forty kilometres and with under fifteen to go, Smit was also swallowed up leaving Mancebo of the Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team out on his own.
The Spaniard was caught just inside the ten to go mark heading for the Atlantis complex at Palm Jumeirah on land reclaimed from the sea.
BMC were on the front with 5.7kms to go as the speed started to ramp up.
A hairpin turn with 3.2km temporarily slowed the pace which allowed Mark Cavendish in his British Champion jersey to move uptowards the front.
Tinkoff-Saxo came to the front with just over two to go as did riders from Cavendish's Omega Pharma Quick Step's team along with Cannondale.
Into the final kilometre and Giant Shimano and Lampre were also up there. Cavendish was boxed in so Marcel Kittel (pictured below) took the win in 2.50.30, beating Cannondale's Peter Sagan.
Race leader Taylor was third ahead of Vallez, Nizzolo, Ferrari, Trusov, LS Haedo, Guarnieri and Kreder and keeps his leader's jersey for another day with a fifteen second lead over Steve Cummings.
Kittel said to Matt Rendall. "It was important to be in the front and the team could do a good job. "I could wait in the wheel of Taylor Phinney and went with 250m to go. It was a good win on a windy day and I hope for better weather tomorrow."
Taylor Phinney said: "My goal was to stay safe. The team rode well and everyone looked after and i got to 500m to go, I used the cross wind and did my own sprint. I was passed with 75m to go but I am happy with third and keeping the jersey."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service.