Ulissi Snatches Second for UAE Team Emirates

 

17 July 2017, United Arab Emirates:  UAE Team Emirates’ Diego Ulissi produced an inspirational ride to grab second place on stage 15 and in doing so, recorded the best result for the team on this year’s Tour. The Italian looked full of confidence as he joined the counter-attacking group early on in the race and was successful in the sprint finish, overcoming three other riders in the battle to the finish line. 

 

There was also good news for UAE Team Emirates’ Louis Meintjes, whose result in today’s stage meant a climb up the General Classification standings. The South African now sits in eighth place. 

 

Bauke Mollema (Trek - SegaFredo) recorded his first ever Tour de France stage win, finishing 19 seconds ahead of Ulissi.. Chris Froome (Team Sky) retains the Yellow Jersey.

 

Commenting on his second place finish, Diego Ulissi said: “Mollema started at the top of the climb and we left him too much space. Someone skipped some change and he went away. We tried to chase him but honestly, he had great legs and he was strong. He deserves the win. It’s a shame I got second place but I performed to my maximum. I will try again to get a victory.” 

 

Commenting on is climb in the GC standings, Louis Meintjes said: “It was a very hard day and a very interesting day. We raced pretty aggressively from the start trying to get Diego and Kristijan in the breakaway. I stayed with most of the favourites, but the last 50kms and in the last categorised climb we were also racing in the back and I just managed to stay with the front group. I tried a little bit but didn’t really get away. Only five days left to do something, tomorrow will be another hard day.”

 

Riders will have the chance to regain energy during Monday’s rest day before the final stages resume on Tuesday. Stage 16 will be one of the most beautiful on the Tour as riders head through the volcanic planes of Massif Central towards the River Rhône. We could see the breakaway take up an early lead with a category three and category four climb in the opening 65km. However, with the second half of the race predominantly downhill, expect the peloton to catch quickly and there to be a fierce end to the race.