Sawt Falasteen - Pogacar retains UAE title by again outpacing Yates

The Slovenian entered the final stage with a four second lead over Filippo Ganna. But the Italian's Ineos team mate Yates was the most realistic challenger on a 148km that ended with a tough climb up Jebel Hafeet.

Yates attacked but, as the rest of the pack dropped away, Pogacar stuck to his wheel, before stepping on the pedals and surging away round the final pair of hairpins.

"At one moment I was really suffering but luckily Adam also slowed down a bit," said Pogacar, who started the stage with a 17-second edge over the Englishman.

"I was in the lead in front of him, so I didn't need to attack and make seconds. I was just trying to follow. His attacks are one of the best attacks in the world."

Pogacar crossed the line a second ahead of Yates, with Spaniard Pello Bilbao of Bahrain Victorious finishing third five seconds back.

Pogacar, who rides for home team UAE, retained his title in the opening elite-level WorldTour race of the year.

Yates was second overall at 22 seconds and Bilbao climbed to third , 48 seconds behind the winner.

"It is the first race of the season but for us it is one of the most important," said Pogacar, who at 23 already has 33 major victories including two Tour de France titles.

The finish was a rerun of past battles.

On the same climb last year, Pogacar edged Yates at the line with the rest of the field far behind.

Pogacar also beat Yates to the top in the other climb on this year's tour, up Jebel Jais, to take the overall lead.

S.Barghouti--SF-PST