The Colombian Einer Rubio (Movistar) celebrated his 25th birthday by premiering his record and giving his team the sixth victory of the season after an exhibition that allowed him to raise his arms as the winner of the third stage of the UAE Tour.
In the section, disputed between Umbrella Beach Al Fujairah and the top of Jebel Jais over 185 kilometres, Movistar’s winning streak continued, although the star Remco Evenepoel donned the leader’s red jersey.
After attacking with 10 kilometers to go, the Colombian Rubio made the triumphant path to the top alone, where he raised his arms to heaven for the first time in his professional life.
He did it with a time of 4:51.24, 14 seconds ahead of the great Belgian favorite Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) and the British Adam Yates (UAE Emirates), second and third respectively.
“It was incredible my first victory, I’ve been through difficulties, but now I’m in great shape, it’s a wonderful thing. I had to try and everything has gone well. There was uncertainty, but he was strong. A special victory for me, my family and Colombia. I will continue working on this line,” said Einer Rubio at the finish line.
“These past years I went through many things that hurt me a lot. Now I’m in great shape. My team has brought me like a king in the ascension. I have arrived at the foot of the port and I wanted to try from below, I came with a lot of strength. Winning here is incredible,” he noted.
From the first bonus sprint, Einer Rubio sought to take the win, launching a devastating attack, to which none of his rivals could respond. “Today’s tactic was to hold the wheel until later, but I had a lot of strength, my teammates were with me, I had to try and today was given to us. In the last kilometers I always had the uncertainty that they were coming for me, but I had strength, I held on very well and it gave me the chance to win”, added the rider from Boyacá.
With his victory, Rubio was placed eighth in the general classification, 1:11 ”behind the leader Remco Evenepoel, who accumulates a time of 8:27:22. “For me it is something very special for my sports career; I have had a lot of problems in the previous years, because I had strength but I came to the races and I couldn’t squeeze it. I believe that now we will continue on the right path, working hard to maintain this line. Today is also my birthday! What a greater gift than this…”, he concluded Rubio.
The Colombian made his debut in the 2020 Giro, in the 2021 Vuelta a Burgos he was the best young man and at the end of 2022, he fought with the best in the Italian semi-classics and came close to the final podium. The disciple of the Esteban Chaves Foundation aspires to great heights at the age of 25.
This Thursday the fourth stage will be held between Al Shindagha and Dubai Harbour, with a 174 km flat course that is another appointment for sprinters.
Classification Stage 3
1. Einer Rubio (Movistar) – 4h:51m:24s
2. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick Step) at 14s
3. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) at 15s
General ranking
1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick Step) – 8h:27m:22s
2. Luke Plapp (INEOS) at 7s
3. Pello Bilbao (Bahrain – Victorious) at 11s
Source: El Tiempo y Revista Mundo Ciclístico