Cavendish: I'm So Happy To Win

Last updated : 23 October 2016 By RCS Sport

The Estonian rider Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) won the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour. Second in the General Classification is Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) with third Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida), fourth Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) and fifth Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).

Final Stage 4 - the Yas Island Stage (143km) - has been won by British rider Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data), the race's Official Ambassador, who won the Green Jersey of Points Classification.

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.

JERSEYS

  • RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
  • GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
  • WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Julien Bernard (Trek - Segafredo)
  • BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)
STAGE RESULT
1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 143km in 3h07’44”, average speed 45.703km/h
2 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek - Segafredo) s.t.
3 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
 


Speaking seconds 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".