Ireland’s Tour de France green jersey champion Sam Bennett added to his already impressive CV with victory on stage four of the UAE Tour today. Photo: Twitter @deceuninck_qst
Ireland’s Tour de France green jersey champion Sam Bennett added to his already impressive CV with victory on stage four of the UAE Tour today.
Having been caught out in the crosswinds on the opening day’s flat stage, the fast men in the peloton made no mistake this time around in the 204km ride around Al Marjan Island.
Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) crossed the line ahead of Jumbo-Visma’s David Dekker and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal).
It was the 30-year-old’s first win of the season and the 50th of his career.
“It feels good to win my first sprint of the season,” said Bennett post-race.
“I had to wait for a few days to get this opportunity. I was really nervous before the sprint because it was the first fast bunch finish of the year for me.
“I followed my guys who did a fantastic job. My lead out went to the right, which was the shortest way to the line, but I chose the long way to the left, as I felt I had enough speed,” Bennett concluded.
Overall leader Tadej Pogacar finished safely in the peloton to retain his 43-second lead over Adam Yates, with Joao Almeida a further 20 seconds adrift in third place.
Thursday’s stage five will see the riders cover 170km from Fujairah to the summit of Jebel Jais.
The race will conclude on Saturday, February 27.
Stage four
| 1 | Sam Bennet | IRL | 4:51:51 |
| 2 | David Dekker | NED | |
| 3 | Caleb Ewen | AUS | |
| 4 | Elia Viviani | ITA | |
| 5 | Matteo Moschetti | ITA | |
| 6 | Pascal Ackermann | GER | |
| 7 | Phil Bauhaus | GER | |
| 8 | Giacomo Nizzolo | ITA | |
| 9 | Fernando Gaviria | COL | |
| 10 | Kaden Groves | AUS |
*Selected
| 29 | Stefan de Bod | RSA |
| 52 | Louis Meintjes | RSA |
General classification
| 1 | Tadej Pogacar | SLV | 12:50:21 |
| 2 | Adam Yates | GBR | +0:43 |
| 3 | Joao Almeida | POR | +1:03 |
| 4 | Chris Harper | AUS | +1:43 |
| 5 | Neilson Powless | USA | +1:45 |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen | DEN | +2:36 |
| 7 | Mattia Cattaneo | ITA | +2:38 |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso | ITA | |
| 9 | Ruben Fernandez | ESP | +3:32 |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada | ITA | +4:47 |
*Selected
| 23 | Louis Meintjes | RSA | +11:17 |
| 30 | Stefan de Bod | RSA | +12:19 |
What a finish! With everyone battling till the end, it’s @Sammmy_Be who grabbed the WIN! 🏁🥇💪🏻#UAETour@AbuDhabiSC @almarjanisland pic.twitter.com/VefYMjNPze
— UAE Tour Official (@uae_tour) February 24, 2021
