Punctual in the sprint event, Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick Step) scored a double by winning with authority the fourth stage of the UAE Tour held over 168 kilometers starting and finishing in Dubai, if where he retained the yellow jersey of Australian leader Jay Vine (UAE).
Many decided to win next to the port of Dubai, but Merlier (Wortegem Petegem, 31 years old) was unbeatable, with a display of strength that allowed him to win his second stage of this edition and the fourth victory of the season.
With a time of 4h.01.47, Merlier won against the Dutch Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor) and Olav Kooij (Visma Lease a Bike). Colombian Fernando Gaviria was not among the best despite Movistar’s work in the last km. The runner from La Ceja was ninth.
It was a day for silence, and that’s what the peloton did, rolling across the vast plains towards Dubai at a comfortable pace, over 40 per hour. A truce that contributes to the desired result of the sprint, where the sprinters stop joking around to compete on the stage.
So it is. At the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world with a height of 828 meters, overlooking other large buildings, the platoon activated the arrival protocol. From the silence of cycling to fighting for placement, from 40 to 60 per hour.
Movistar for Gaviria, UAE for Molano and DSM for Jakobsen tried to lead their train, but they all wanted the same, so nerves came and some fell 3 from the finish line. With patience and looking for his moment, Merlier took hold of Olav Kooij’s wheel and got it right.
When the Belgian left he had no choice, he raised his arms lawfully. The law of the fastest, never mind a sprint with its share of chaos.
In the general classification, Jay Vine stayed ahead with 11 seconds over his Decathlon Ag2r compatriot Ben O’Connor and 13 over American Brandon McNulty (UAE). Spanish Pello Bilbao (Bahrain) was fifth out of 22.
This Friday, the fifth stage will take the peloton from Al Aqah to Umm Al Quwain, with a flat 182 km route leading to another sprint result.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
