Kittel at it again, wins second stage of Dubai Tour

Ras Al Khaimah - UAE Olympian Yousif Mirza had a day to remember with two second-place slots in two intermediate sprints as he earned six precious points

If you want someone to sprint for your life, don't look beyond Marcel Kittel. Those who lined the streets of Ras Al Khaimah saw the unbreakable spirit of the German rider.
With just a kilometer to go for the finish line on Wednesday, Kittel was not in a position to replicate his first stage sprint.
But thanks to his brilliant Quick-Step Floors teammates once again, the defending Dubai Tour champion got an opportunity just at the right time to launch an outrageous attack on his rivals.
His stunning sprint gave him second stage glory, clipping the wings of a Flying Dutchman - Dylan Groenewegen. It was an unforgettable finish that brought loud cheers from those lucky enough to witness an epic duel between a battle-hardened veteran and a rising star.
"Congratulations to Marcel for another great stage win. It's your seventh stage win of the Dubai Tour. You are a habitual winner," said Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, at the Press conference later.
Kittel's seventh stage win in Dubai obviously puts him in a very strong position to retain his title. Groenewegen, the 23-year-old Team Lotto rider, was left licking his wounds,
"I wanted to be first but Kittel was so strong at the end today," said Groenewegen who retained the white jersey for the best young rider after yet another second-place finish.
"I think it was possible for me to win today but I launched my sprint a bit too early. I sprinted on the right side and I saw the Quick-Step going on my left. Had I accelerated 50 meters later, I could have won."
Team Bardiani's Nicola Boem may not have finished in the top five on Wednesday, but the Italian kept himself in the contention with the intermediate sprints leader's jersey.
"Just like yesterday, it was our duty to send someone in the breakaway. Today's it was up to Simone Andreetta," said Boem who finds himself in third place in the general classification after the first two stages.
"We have given our best. All combined, we have saved this jersey. It couldn't be any better."
UAE Olympian Yousif Mirza had a day to remember with two second-place slots in two intermediate sprints as he earned six precious points.
The Khor Fakkan-born rider was obviously delighted with his day's work. "I'm happy I spent the whole stage in the main breakaway. It's an honour for me to have exploited the opportunity, which had been given to me by the team's sports director, to try to join the breakaway," Mirza told reporters after the second stage.
"We rode fast and we succeeded in obtaining a good gap on the peloton and we led the race until 10 km to go. This stage meant a lot for me: leading a stage in my hometown, wearing the National champion jersey and racing for the Team UAE Abu Dhabi is something special.
"I have only one regret though. I would have loved to win at least one of the two intermediate sprints of the stage. However (Jean-Pierre) Drucker is a very fast rider and so I obtained two second places. If I receive the role of breakaway hunter from my sports director again, I'll try to attack in the next stages."
On Thursday, the 200-km third stage will take the riders to the finish line at Fujairah's Al Aqah beach. Of course, all eyes will be on a certain Marcel Kittel - a fighter who loves the challenge of the finish line battles.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com