Bissegger wins UAE time trial as Pogacar settles for fourth

Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Feb 22 (AFP/APP): Switzerland’s Stefan Bissegger won the third stage of the UAE Tour, a 9km time trial in Ajman, on Tuesday, as Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar finished fourth.

EF Education rider Bissegger completed the course in nine minutes and 43 seconds, edging out world time trial champion Filippo Ganna by seven seconds.

“I had confidence, I knew I had the power to do well on this course,” said Bissegger.

Italian Ganna said: “I put in a great performance. I had more average power than I expected.”

Jumbo-Visma’s Tom Dumoulin, racing for the first time this season, was seven seconds further back in third.

Slovenian Pogacar, who recently recovered from a bout of Covid-19, showed strong form to put himself in a good position to defend his overall title.

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