Pello Bilbao has continued his consistent run of form early in the year as is usual, however by only a few seconds he didn't manage to finish on the podium of the UAE Tour, a disappointing finale for the Basque.
"It didn't go as well as expected. I think I made a big mistake at the end. I was so sure that the podium was within reach and felt very strong five kilometers from the finish. I was in control, so I wasn't worried. The goal was to improve my third place," Bilbao described after the finale of the race. After a strong performance in the crosswinds and team time-trial, the Bahrain - Victorious rider looked set for the final podium of the UAE Tour.
At Jebel Hafeet he had a tough time, but looked to have the legs to stay in the podium. However, eventually he could not ultimately distance Luke Plapp, and a soaring Adam Yates managed to take the stage win, and the bonifications have seen Bilbao drop to fourth in the GC - following third at the Tour Down Under and fourth at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana.
"It was clear that Yates and Evenepoel were riding very strongly, but I saw that Luke Plapp started to drop back. In line with our tactics this week, I tried to put pressure on him to finish second," Bilbao described. "I managed to release Plapp and I tried to connect with the head on the flatter part. Then I started to feel weak. I couldn't keep my rhythm anymore and the heat bothered me too much," he concluded. Next in the calendar will be Strade Bianche this upcoming weekend.
🇦🇪 #UAETour A bitter ending of @uae_tour as @PelloBilbao1990 couldn't defend his 3rd place GC on the Jebel Hafeet, where he finished 5th at 54". The stage winner #Yates took 3rd by 3" in the overall standing, with Bilbao 4th. @WoutPoels managed a top 10, placing 6th overall.
