UAE Tour 2019: Ewan wins steep stage 4 finish, Roglic extends lead

The 4th stage of the UAE Tour seems to be tailor-made for punchers, but a sprinter takes the win. Caleb Ewan powers to victory on the steep Hatta Dam. Leader Primo Roglic comes in third to cement his GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4nd stage UAE Tour 2019

1. Caleb Ewan (aus)
2. Matteo Moschetti (ita) + 0.02
3. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
4. Quentin Jauregui (fra) + 0.05
5. Luka Mezgec (slo) s.t.
6. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
7. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
9. Marco Haller (aut) s.t.
10. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 4
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.21
3. David Gaudu (fra) + 0.38
4. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.46
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.54
6. Daniel Martin (irl) + 1.01
7. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 1.04
8. Victor de la Parte (spa) + 1.12
9. James Knox (gbr) + 1.14
10 Davide Formolo (ita) + 1.15

Race report
Six riders open up a gap at kilometre 20. De Marchi, Clarke, Planet, Kuriyanov, Nych and Boev extend their lead to 8 minutes before the peloton starts to reel them in.

It is a hard race with sandstorms blowing across the road. Inside the last 50 kilometres echelons split the peloton for a moment, but the riders regroup shortly.

De Marchi heads out on his own with 12 kilometres remaining, while Bouchard and Dumoulin attack in the peloton. Dumoulin goes alone and gobbles up De Marchi.

A huge crash hinders Valverde, Gaudu and Buchmann inside the last 7 kilometres and moments later Dumoulin’s attack is neutralised. The three make it back before the Hatta Dam ramp, but Gaudu punctures and is dropped again.

Ewan starts the sharp haul up the Hatta Dam from the front and tackles the 17% ramps as if it is a sprint. He wins the race bike lengths ahead of young Italian Moschetti, while race leader Primoz Roglic comes in third to extend his lead with 3 seconds and 4 extra bonus seconds.

Gaudu crosses the line well down on his GC rivals, but he is awarded the same time, so he still sits in third overall.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2019 UAE Tour.