Taylor Phinney won the opening individual time trial event in this year’s inaugural Tour of Dubai – with an impressive race against the clock.
Phinney averaged 50.29km/h around the 9.9 kilometer course – to set a winning time of 12’03”, with fellow BMC teammate Steve Cummings finishing second.
Meanwhile, World Champion Tony Martin was only able to muster a fourth place finish – following his recovery from surgery during this winter.
Phinney set an early course benchmark – completing the course in a time 12’03”.
His teammate Cummings, also set an impressive time of 12’17 – placing BMC in 1st and 2nd position – for which they would ultimately hold onto.
Others like British time trial champion Alex Dowsett, Joaquim Rodriguez and Ryder Hesjedal and Vincenzo Nibali put in less than stellar performances – with most of them finishing at a minute or more behind.
Even Mark Cavendish failed to show good form – with a dismal performance of 12’57”.
As more riders came and went, the more the Phinney’s time appeared unbeatable – particularly when Fabian Cancellara crossed the line in 12’28”.
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”
