Bauhaus Edges Bouhanni To Take Last Stage And Saudi Tour
Team Emirates rirder Rui Costa, who won the first stage, was on the final podium
Germany's rider Phil Bauhaus of Bahrain McLaren (C) holds the trophy after winning the Saudi Tour, with France's rider Nacer Bouhanni (L) in second position and Portuguese rider Rui Costa (R) in third position at the end of the last stage from Princess Nourah University to al-Masmak near Riyadh. Image: SPA
German sprinter Phil Bauhaus took overall victory in the inaugural Saudi Tour after edging Nacer Bouhanni in a hectic finish on Saturday that left the Frenchman furious.
Bouhanni, who has joined the Arkea Samsic team this season, led Bauhaus by two seconds entering the fifth and last stage, a flat 144km run in and around Riyadh.
Germany's rider Phil Bauhaus of Bahrain McLaren crosses the finish line to win the Saudi Tour after the last stage from Princess Nourah University to al-Masmak near Riyadh. Image: SPA
Perfectly led out by his Bahrain team-mates, the 25-year-old Bauhaus twice veered in the finishing straight leaving Bouhanni making angry gestures as he crossed the line second. Bauhaus gained a 10-second bonus to beat Bouhanni, who collected six seconds, by two seconds overall.
Arkea Samsic tweeted their disappointment.
"Two swerves by his opponent in the finish prevented Nacer Bouhanni from sprinting on this final stage @thesauditour," they said, adding: "No demotion from the jury of referees."
Portugal's Rui Costa (Emirates), who won the first stage, completed the final podium.
Fifth and final stage results
1. Phil Bauhaus (GER/BAH) 3hr 18min 57 sec, 2. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/ARK) same time, 3. Arvid de Kleijn (NED/RIW) s.t.. 4. Timothy Dupont (BEL/CIR) s.t., 5. Imerio Cima (ITA/GAZ) s.t.
Final overall standings
1. Phil Bauhaus (GER/BAH) 17 hr 53min 38sec, 2. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/ARK) at 2sec, 3. Alberto Rui Faria Costa (POR/UAE) 13 sec, 4. Youcef Reguigui (ALG/TER) 22 sec, 5. Heinrich Haussler (AUS/BAH) 23 sec