Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) won the opening stage of the inaugural Dubai Tour, beating the likes of world champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) with a stunning ride against the clock.
The American, a former under-23 world time trial champion, averaged 50.29km/h on the 10.1km course to set a winning time of 12’03”, and lead a BMC one-two as Britain’s Steve Cummings finished second.
Martin however, in his first race back after surgery during the winter, was only able to finish fourth as Garmin-Sharp’s Lasse Norman Hansen also pipped him to a place in the top three.
Although the opening stage was against the clock, race rules dictated the stage had to be completed on the same standard road bikes which will be used through the rest of the race.
Phinney hit the course early and set the early benchmark, completing the 10.1km course in 12’03”.
His team-mate Cummings, also set an encouraging time of 12’17, which saw the BMC pair sit first and second, a position they ultimately held throughout.
British time trial champion Alex Dowsett (Movistar) was another rider out early, although his time of 13’07” did not trouble the leaderboard.
World number one, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), completed the course in 13’40”, while Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) crossed in exactly 13 minutes.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) showed better form however, as one of the later riders to hit the course – the Italian stopping the clock at 12’47”.
With three flat stages to come, the sprinters were keen to set a good early time to stay in contention overall though, and Marcel Kittel showed some impressive form with a time of 12’41”
Hey that feels good! Huge honor to win the first stage here at @TourOfDubai. Thank you BMC for believing in me, and also for the fast bike!!
— Taylor Phinney (@taylorphinney) February 5, 2014
Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) was given a warm welcome from the few spectators who turned out in Dubai, and he too showed glimpses of form against the clock with a time of 12’57”.
Adriano Malori (Movistar) and Maciej Bodnar (Cannondale) also showed the profits of hard work over the winter crossing 32 seconds and 35 seconds off Phinney’s pace respectively.
As more riders came and went, the more the American’s time appeared unbeatable however, particularly when Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) crossed in 12’28”.
Spartacus’ time was remarkable however, in that he had spent much of the pre-race build-up discounting his chances after a winter illness and a recent training crash.
Olympic omnium champion Lasse Norman Hansen (Garmin-Sharp) showed he can be a contender against the clock however, with a stunning ride of 12’19”.
Of the major sprint contenders Peter Sagan turned in the best performance, finishing in 12’34”, but his hopes of an overall victory will now rest on the effects of the crosswinds over the next three days.
Rui Costa swapped his rainbow jersey for the suit of Portuguese time trial champion and his time of 12’50” was an encouraging mark.
All eyes however were on world champion Tony Martin, but having reached the hairpin marking the halfway stage in 6’06”, Phinney’s hopes of victory were lifted considerably.
And so it proved, as the German missed out on a top three place with a time of 12’25” – his sole consolation being the pipping of Cancellara by three seconds.
Phinney now becomes the first rider to wear the blue leader’s jersey, with BMC looking good for overall victory already.
Dubai Tour 2014 – stage one result
1) Taylor Phinney (USA) – BMC Racing – 12.03
2) Stephen Cummings (GBR) – BMC Racing +14”
3) Lasse Norman Hansen (NOR) – Garmin-Sharp +16”
4) Tony Martin (GER) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep +22”
5) Fabian Cancellara (SUI) – Trek Factory Racing +25”
6) Peter Sagan (SVK) – Cannondale +31”
7) Adriano Malori (ITA) – Movistar +32”
8) Maciej Bodnar (POL) – Cannondale +35”
9) Alexander Porsev (SVN) – Katusha – ST
10) Peter Velits (SVK) – BMC Racing +37”
General classification
1) Taylor Phinney (USA) – BMC Racing – 12.03
2) Stephen Cummings (GBR) – BMC Racing +14”
3) Lasse Norman Hansen (NOR) – Garmin-Sharp +16”
4) Tony Martin (GER) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep +22”
5) Fabian Cancellara (SUI) – Trek Factory Racing +25”
6) Peter Sagan (SVK) – Cannondale +31”
7) Adriano Malori (ITA) – Movistar +32”
8) Maciej Bodnar (POL) – Cannondale +35”
9) Alexander Porsev (SVN) – Katusha – ST
10) Peter Velits (SVK) – BMC Racing +37”
