Adam Yates stays conservative but launches warning bullet at Evenepoel: "I’m focused on going for a big result on Jebel Hafeet"

Adam Yates talked of the pressure to attack the UAE Tour, but he did not find the opportunity at the ascent to Jebel Jais. The leader of UAE Team Emirates instead aims at a climb where he knows he can create damage: Jebel Hafeet.

“We tried to put pressure on the other teams today on the final climb and to be aggressive but we always knew there was a good chance things would stay together which they mostly did," Yates said after crossing the finish line. UAE Team Emirates tried on several occasions to push the pace up the final climb, but the shallow gradients saw a group of almost 30 riders ride through the final kilometer.

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A sprint was inevitable for second place, as Einer Rubio took the win on the day. "Soler did a really good leadout but I just ended up on the wrong side of the wheel when Remco made the move on the line," he commented, as the World Champion sprinted to second.

However, Yates' third place proves that he has his form on point, with some bonus seconds captured at the finish line. In Jebel Hafeet the gradients will be higher, and it's an ascent where over the last three seasons Yates has done serious damage. He now sits 10th in the GC, and will look to survive possible echelons in the upcoming days.

"My condition is really good and I’m focused on going for a big result on Jebel Hafeet. It’s a climb that suits me a bit better so we’ll see what happens. The support so far has been good and as a team it’s our home race so we want to give our fans something to cheer about," he concluded.