Watch: Riders battle for top honours on Abu Dhabi Tour's climbing stage (video)
Video highlights from the climbing stage of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour

Nairo Quintana finishes stage three of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour.

Though some of the biggest names in Grand Tour racing may have failed to ignite the 'queen' climbing stage of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour in the Middle East on Saturday, there was a worthy winner.
Former world champion Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) attacked early on the final 11km climb of Jebel Hafeet to ultimately clinch the stage win and overall race lead.
Portuguese rider Costa was joined by Russian climber Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) as they distanced the likes of Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and Fabio Aru (Astana).
>>> Grand Tour stars fail to ignite Abu Dhabi Tour: ‘it was a stand off’
The lead pair worked well together, with Costa edging ahead of Zakarin among the craggy rocks of the desert mountain.
Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) had put in a concerted chase to try and catch the leaders, but had to settle for third place.
The 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour concludes on Sunday with a stage that looks likely to finish in a bunch sprint. Barring disaster, Costa should finish in the peloton to take the overall victory.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
A bike rack with an app? Wahoo’s latest, and a hub silencer – Sea Otter Classic tech highlights, Part 2
A few standout pieces of gear from North America's biggest bike gathering
By Anne-Marije Rook
-
Cycling's riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
By Tom Thewlis
-
'Finally a victory' - Tadej Pogačar wins first race of 2025 with mountaintop sprint at UAE Tour
World champion now leads race by 18 seconds over Josh Tarling
By Tom Davidson
-
'I needed this' - Josh Tarling powers to victory in UAE Tour time trial
British time trial champion wins assuredly against the clock on stage two
By Tom Davidson
-
Tim Merlier doubles up in UAE Tour’s final sprint showdown on stage six
Soudal Quick-Step have now won three stages, with Remco Evenepoel leading the GC into the final day
By Tom Davidson
-
Molano sprints to stage four victory at UAE Tour to save UAE Team Emirates' race
Colombian rider wins stage for home team at fourth opportunity, as Remco Evenepoel continues in race lead
By Adam Becket
-
Remco Evenepoel edges closer to UAE Tour lead as Soudal Quick-Step win stage two team time trial
The Belgian team won by a single second, leaving Evenepoel tied on time at the top of the GC
By Tom Davidson
-
‘That’s not bad’ - Mark Cavendish pleased with first podium finish for Astana at UAE Tour
The British road champion recorded his best race result since joining Astana Qazaqstan
By Tom Davidson
-
Tim Merlier declared winner of UAE Tour stage one in tight photo finish
The Soudal Quick-Step rider's team-mate Remco Evenepoel stretched out an early lead in the battle for GC
By Tom Davidson
-
UAE Tour Women 2023: Start list and how to watch
Discover the full start list of this year's UAE Tour Women
By Cycling Weekly