Dubai Harbour (UAE) – 4° tappa dello UAE Tour a Sebastian Molano, 28 anni, colombiano (UAE Team) ; Remco Evenepoel sempre leader della Generale

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) also finished in a sizeable front group on Dubai Habour which ensured he defended his Red and White Jerseys. The reigning World Champion sits seven seconds ahead of Lucas Plapp (Ineos Grenaders) in both the General and Young Rider Classifications.

Kooij’s second-placed finish meanwhile, saw him take control of the Green (Sprint Classification) Jersey while Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) defended his Black (Intermediate Sprint) Jersey.

The fourth stage saw the riders travel 174km from Dubai’s historic Al Shindagha district and H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, paid a welcome visit to witness the action in person.

Three riders – Alex Baudin (AG2R Citroen Team), Alessandro Tonelli and Samuele Zoccarato (both Green Project-Bardianicsf-Faizane) – led for most of the day before eventually being caught in the last 3km.

From that point on the pace in the peloton continued to ramp up all the way to the finish line, where Molano took his victory in scintillating style.

Velon have produced an infographic highlighting Molano’s stage-winning sprint data which can be downloaded here.

(©LaPresse)

H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, watched the riders in action (©Sprint Cycling Agency) 

DOWNLOAD

• Stage 4 Photo Gallery
• Stage 4 Classifications
• 2023 UAE Tour Maps
• Road Book
• Stage 4 video with commentary (digital media only / NOT broadcast)

STAGE RESULT-ordine arrivo 4° tappa

1 – Sebastian Molano (Team UAE Emirates), 174km in 3h50’01”, average speed 45.388km/h
2 – Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
3 – Sam Welsford (Team DSM) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION-Classifica generale

1 – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
2 – Lucas Plapp (Ineos Grenaders) at 7″
3 – Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) at 11″

HE Osama Al Shafar – Vice President of UCI and President of the Asian Cycling Federation,  
HE Aref Al Awani – Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary, HE Saeed Hareb – Dubai Sports Council Secretary General, HE Abdulla Bin Habtoor – Chief Commercial Officer of Shamal and owner and developer of Dubai Harbour, and Peter Ibraham – Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at International Holding Company congratulate Remco Evenpoel on defending his Red Jersey (©LaPresse)  

OFFICIAL JERSEYS-MAGLIE CLASSIFICHE SPECIALI

• Red Jersey, General Classification. Sponsor: International Holding Company
  – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 
• Green Jersey, Points Classification. Sponsor: BeIT – Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma)
• White Jersey, Young Rider Classification. Sponsor: Nakheel – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
• Black Jersey, Intermediate Sprint Classification. Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi – Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck)As Remco Evenepoel will wear the Red Jersey on Stage 5, the White Jersey will be worn by Lucas Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers).

PRESS CONFERENCE

Speaking after the podium presentations, stage winner Sebastian Molano said: “We have to enjoy this victory as much as we can because the UAE Tour is a very important race for our team, and for our sponsors. I’m very happy to have won this stage for all of them, and I dedicate this win to the whole of the UAE. We haven’t had the start of the race as we wanted but we are improving day by day and Adam Yates is in a great shape – I’m sure he’ll finish this race on a high.”

Red and White Jersey holder Remco Evenepoel said: “It was quite an easy day for me today as the wind wasn’t as strong as on Stage 1 and the roads were big. We cruised along at high speed so I got a lot of slipstream. Even in the last few kilometres, I felt pretty relaxed. I was following Tim Merlier’s wheel until 2km to go and then I wanted to stay out of trouble. It’s pretty special to lead a race like the UAE Tour and I’m enjoying being in the Red Jersey.”

Green Jersey holder Olav Kooij said: “That sprint was definitely tight. I knew Sam Welsford was on my right-hand side but I didn’t know that Molano was even further on the right. It’s a pity to lose by such a tight margin but I don’t have any major regrets. Now I’m in the lead of the Points Classification and I hope to defend it until the end of the race.”

(©LaPresse)  

(©Sprint Cycling Agency)

TOMORROW’S STAGE

Stage 5: Al Marjan Island – Umm al Quwain (170 KM)

Departing from Marjan Island to reach Ras al Khaimah, the stage heads south through the desert with various sections both on and off the motorway before the race reaches Umm al Quwain for the final sprint. The entire route takes place on wide, straight and well-paved roads through the desert, but crosswinds could potentially be a factor in the stage.

Last kms
The final km is on a slightly curved, wide avenue.

To find out more about the UAE Tour, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetour.com

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SHIFT Active Media
Dario Esposito

RCS Sport Cycling Press Office

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Stefano Diciatteo

RCS Sport Press Office Coordinator