Phinney powers to victory in Dubai
Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing Team) will be the first rider to wear the blue leaders jersey, designed by Versace and produced by Castelli, after powering to time trial victory and overall lead in Dubai Tour 2014. In today’s individual time trial, Phinney beat his team-mate, the Briton Steven Cummings, into second place, while the Danish Olympic Champion (Omnium) on Team Garmin Sharp, Lasse Norman Hansen, was third.
“If there’s an event that’s best for me, it’s anything around 12 minutes and below.” Taylor said at the official press conference. “I haven’t had many opportunities to ride short time trials since I’ve been pro – they seem to be phasing out short time trials and Prologues – so I was really happy when this course came out. It means a lot to win today. I’ve been thinking about this race since they came out with the race route weeks ago. I knew there would be some big names here. Specifically, Tony Martin is good in any time trial. especially on a road bike, so I’m overjoyed and relieved that I have won.”
“The win is a big confidence booster for me. I thought I knew what I was capable of on a course like this, but I exceeded my expectations today. I haven’t won the Dubai Tour yet. There are a lot of variables in this race: wind, climbs on St 3, more wind on St 4. All I can do is take it day by day. There’s some strong competition here, but BMC has a good team, we have also Steve Cummings who is strong and in a good position, so I’m excited. It’s a short race but it’s going to be intense. A lot of things can happen over the next couple of days, we just have to stay calm, we have a good chance.”
Photo credit: ANSA/Peri-Carcone