The route is flat until Maleha. Then, at kilometre 150, the scenery starts to change. Sand dunes and small hills account for undulating roads. It’s not a big deal, mostly false flat interspersed with flat sections and slightly steeper ramps. The riders reach the ‘summit’ with 40 kilometres remaining.
Another moderate ascent begins almost 20 kilometres before the finish. Altough the average gradient is mild, the climb features some double gradient sectors. In last year’s Dubai Tour, 19-year old Brandon McNulty fought a brave battle on these very slopes. As the only remaining breakaway rider he led 1.30 ahead of the peloton with 12 kilometres out.
Once down a false flat of 6 kilometres runs to the foot of the Hatta Dam. From base to summit the climb is merely 1 kilometre, but it is a killer that gets steeper with every pedal stroke. The last 100 metres go up at 14% and continues onto a 17% ramp just before the line.
Last year, McNulty was still 33 seconds ahead of the peloton when he entered the final kilometre. Grinding his way up, the American waned 200 metres before the line. The sprinting peloton gobbled him up and Sonny Colbrelli powered to the win ahead of Magnus Cort and Timo Roosen.
The first three riders on the line win time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while two intermediate sprints (at kilometre 54.8 and at kilometre 96.9) come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results/race report 4th stage 2019 UAE Tour.
UAE Tour 2019: stage 4: route, elevation, more
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