Mark Cavendish continues to lead the Abu Dhabi Tour after finishing third behind sprint rival Marcel Kittel and Australia’s Caleb Ewan on stage two today (Friday).

With 10km of the 153km circular stage round Abu Dhabi remaining the writing was on the wall for the attackers and the sprint finale began to unfold.

Cav’s Team Dimension Data again left its lead-out late, only moving to the front with 2km to go. Bernie Eisel, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Mark Renshaw and Cavendish was the order.

The African team came under strong competition from Orica-Scott but were able to nudge ahead in the final 700 metres.

Cavendish latched onto the wheel of Ewan, Orica-Scott’s own pocket rocket, and looked to be in prime position.

But as the Manx Missile made his push for the line down the left, Ewan was able to hold good speed.

The Aussie, who won the Commonwealth Youth Games road race in the Isle of Man in 2011, thought he had it and as he sat up to raise his arms in salute, only for Quickstep-Floors man Kittel to sneak under his right arm to take the victory.

Cavendish had to settle for third place but kept the overall race lead.

Onchan resident Ben Swift (UAE Team Emirates) was 46th and Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) 102nd.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is a climbing stage. The four-day tour ends on Sunday.