Adam Yates Crushes his Rivals atop Jabel Hafeet to Take Race Lead

British climber Adam Yates pulverised the opposition on the tough, final ascent of stage three of the UAE Tour, winning by over a minute and taking the overall race lead on Stage 3

His compatriot Chris Froome the four-time Tour de France winner again struggled on his comeback from injuries, and was paced home over 10 minutes adrift on the day.

The 27-year-old Yates of Mitchelton-Scott is also making his 2020 debut and looks favourite to win in a competitive field after his stunning attack from 6km out at the end of a warm day with temperatures passing 30C.

"I attacked maybe a little too early, but in the end I felt good," said Yates, whose win gives him a 1min 07sec lead in the overall.

"A minute is a lot, but we have to do this climb again, and maybe my legs won't be so good then," Yates said in reference to stage five.

"Also tomorrow I heard a rumour there are going to be crosswinds, so we'll see."

Yates was followed up the final 10.6km Jebell Hafeet climb at a 7 percent gradient by a trio of challengers with Slovenian prodigy Tadej Pogacar finishing 1min 03sec adrift.

Astana's Alexey Lutsenko was third at 1min 30sec accompanied by up-and-coming Frenchman David Gaudu.

Yates came fourth at the 2016 Tour de France and is targeting the Grand Boucle this summer where he will lead the Australian team ahead of his brother Simon.

Wednesday's flat stage, the fourth of seven, is a 173km run to Dubai City Walk where a mass bunch sprint is expected.

Yates said to the press afterwards ""It's my first race of the season, so it's difficult to know how everyone's going. I just really wanted to test my legs and see where I am, so I attacked maybe a little too early, but in the end I felt good. There were a few guys who started to come up and I could see behind they started to get organised and there was a bit of a chase, so I just committed, and if they came back they came back, but in the end I felt good and managed to stay away."

"A minute is a lot, but we have to do this climb again, and maybe my legs won't be so good then. Also tomorrow I heard a rumour there are going to be crosswinds, so we'll see. I've got a good group around me and I'll try and hold onto the lead as long as possible."

VIDEO: 2020 UAE Tour Stage 3 Highlights

2020 UAE Tour Stage 3 Top 10

1. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) - 04:42:33
2. Tadej Pocagar (UAE Team Emirates) +01:03
3. Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) - +1:30
4. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ)
5. Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe)
6. Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) +1:56
7. Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe)
8. Gorka Izaguirre (Astana)
9. Jesus Herrada (Cofidis)
10. Eddie Dunbar (Team Ineos)

2020 UAE Tour GC after Stage 3

1. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) - 12:30:02
2. Tadej Pocagar (UAE Team Emirates) +01:07
3. Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) +1:35
4. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +1:40
5. Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe)
6. Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) +2:06
7. Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates)
8. Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe)
9. Jesus Herrada (Cofidis)
10. Eddie Dunbar (Team Ineos)