Caleb Ewan wins Stage 4, the Dubai Municipality Stage, of the UAE Tour
Primoz Roglic retains the Red Jersey
Hatta Dam, 27 February 2019 – The Australian rider Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) has won Stage 4, the Dubai Municipality Stage, of the inaugural edition of the UAE Tour, ahead of Matteo Moschetti (Trek - Segafredo) and Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma), who remains the GC leader and wore the Red Jersey on the podium.
STAGE RESULT 1 - Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), 197km in 4h27’07”, average speed 44.250km/h 2 - Matteo Moschetti (Trek - Segafredo) at 2" 3 - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma) (Team Jumbo - Visma) s.t.
JERSEYS
The Red Jersey, sponsored by theEmirates (General individual classification by time) - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma)
The Green Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC (General individual classification by points) - Stepan Kuriyanov(Gazprom - RusVelo)
The White Jersey, sponsored by Nakheel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1994) -David Gaudu(Groupama - FDJ)
The Black Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Aviation (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Stepan Kuriyanov (Gazprom - RusVelo)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma) 2 - Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) at 21" 3 - David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ) at 38"
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Caleb Ewan said: “ I knew coming into this stage with all the fast sprinters in this race, today would be my best chance for my first win of the year because of the uphill finish. My team did well protecting me today. It was a pretty tough stage even before the climb. I was where I had to be in the last right hand turn. I started my sprint when I needed to. Luckily I managed to hold on. It's a relief. It's always hard to get the first win of the year. Hopefully there'll be more for the rest of the season.”
The Red Jersey Primoz Roglic said: “ It's always better to gain some time in a stage like this than lose some time. Once again, I made it thanks to my team who protected me really well before the uphill finish. That's how I avoided the crash because I was always at the front. I just heard the noise behind me. It was my first time here. You can watch videos but it's only once you hit this wall that you realize how hard it is.”
TOMORROW'S STAGE Stage 5 – SHARJAH STAGE – Sharjah-Khor Fakkan – 181km
This stage, that connects the Arabian Gulf with the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Oman), is another opportunity for the sprinters. After crossing the desert between the University of Sharjah and the University of Khalba, the route follows the coast north through Fujairah, up to the finish line in Khor Fakkan, where a bunch sprint is expected.
Final Km
The final 5km are on ample roads, evenly surfaced and with divided carriageways. The final 3km feature several roundabouts, the last of which leads on to the 8m wide, tarmac final straight.
Caleb Ewan takes maiden victory for Lotto Soudal Primoz Roglic extends lead with third place at Hatta Dam
Hatta Dam, 27 February 2019 – Caleb Ewan won the bunch sprint at the uphill finish of Hatta Dam that always guarantees a thrilling finale. The diminutive Australian took his first win for Lotto Soudal ahead of the Italian neo-pro Matteo Moschetti of Trek - Segafredo and Primoz Roglic, who extended his lead thanks to the third-place time bonus, while World Champion Alejandro Valverde was hampered by a crash with 6.5km to go and thus couldn't make it two in a row. David Gaudu of Groupama - FDJ retained the White Jersey of best young rider despite suffering a mechanical (broken front wheel) because it occurred within the final 3km.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai attends Stage 4 of the UAE Tour
STAGE RESULT 1 - Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), 197km in 4h27’07”, average speed 44.250km/h 2 - Matteo Moschetti (Trek - Segafredo) at 2" 3 - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma) s.t.
JERSEYS
The Red Jersey, sponsored by theEmirates (General individual classification by time) - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma)
The Green Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC (General individual classification by points) - Stepan Kuriyanov (Gazprom - RusVelo)
The White Jersey, sponsored by Nakheel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1994) - David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ)
The Black Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Aviation (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Stepan Kuriyanov (Gazprom - RusVelo) - Jersey will be worn by Charles Planet (Team Novo Nordisk)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo - Visma) 2 - Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) at 21" 3 - David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ) at 38"
PRESS CONFERENCE
The Stage Winner, Caleb Ewan, said: “ My advantage over the other sprinters today is that their weight is about 80kg and I'm only 67, so my power-to-weight ratio is better for such a climb at 17%. I knew I had to start the climb no further than fifth or sixth position. Kristoff started and once I found the right gear I could pass him. Before that, when the last crash happened, I was already at the front. Today's win is a good sign ahead of Milan-Sanremo which is my main goal of the first part of the year.”
The Red Jersey, Primoz Roglic, said: “ I felt the heat today but I was always well protected from the wind by my teammates. Caleb Ewan was the strongest today. He won easily. I just wanted to go as fast as possible to the finish. Every day can be decisive, so I'll work on keeping the jersey with the team tomorrow before I make plans for Friday's uphill finish.”
TOMORROW'S STAGE Stage 5 – SHARJAH STAGE – Sharjah-Khor Fakkan – 181km
This stage, that connects the Arabian Gulf with the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Oman), is another opportunity for the sprinters. After crossing the desert between the University of Sharjah and the University of Khalba, the route follows the coast north through Fujairah, up to the finish line in Khor Fakkan, where a bunch sprint is expected.
Final Km
The final 5km are on ample roads, evenly surfaced and with divided carriageways. The final 3km feature several roundabouts, the last of which leads on to the 8m wide, tarmac final straight.
UAE TOUR PRESS ROOM
From the official online pressroom the media can download high resolution pictures of the race. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press/ password: press), select “Media”, then "Cycling", then UAE Tour. The photos are free of charge for editorial use, as long as both the UAE Tour and the photographer’s name is quoted.
