UAE Tour cycling 2021 - Filippo Ganna wins second stage time trial, Tadej Pogacar top of GC

ByRichard Newman

Updated 22/02/2021 at 13:27 GMT

The INEOS Grenadiers rider was the favourite going into the time trial and lived up to expectations with a 14-second victory over his nearest rivals. Tadej Pogacar went top of the general classification for UAE Team Emirates, helped in part by overnight leader Mathieu van der Poel and the entire Alpecin-Fenix team withdrawing due to a positive coronavirus test.

Filippo Ganna blew away the rest of the field to take victory in the UAE Tour time trial second stage, while Tadeg Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went top of the general classification on a dramatic day.

An entire team was lost before the action even got started, as Alpecin-Fenix and overnight leader Mathieu van der Poel were forced to withdraw after an unnamed member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

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Ganna was the favourite going into the time trial and the INEOS Grenadiers rider fulfilled his promise by finishing 14 seconds ahead of Stefan Bisseger (EF Education-Nippo), with Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) third, 21 seconds behind.

Pogacar’s fourth placed finish took him top of the general classification by five seconds over Joao Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick-Step).

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Britain’s Adam Yates remains in contention for INEOS, sitting 39 seconds back ahead of Tuesday's third stage in the mountains, which may suit the strong climber.

Speaking at the race finish, Ganna was happy with his overall performance: "It’s not easy. Every race is hard because everyone arrives with focus and good legs but my body was ready today.

This is a fantastic result for me and the team.

"It’s strange in the middle of the dessert but it’s really nice.

Ganna admits 'every race is hard' but says his 'body was ready' after Stage 2 win

"This is my first time in the UAE Tour and at the moment I’m really happy and I hope to have good legs for future races like Tirreno-Adriatico in the next months."

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