UAE Team Emirates looking to mount final challenge on Jebel Hafeet

UAE Team Emirates’ Diego Ulissi was just three seconds outside of a top 10 stage finish on today’s individual time trial – a 12.6km course on Al Maryah Island. Ulissi managed to secure a 15th place finish, increasing his standings in the General Classification (GC) and giving the team a boost ahead of tomorrow’s final stage on the tour.

Reigning Abu Dhabi Tour champion, Rui Costa and team-mate Fabio Aru also put in strong efforts and see their stock rise in the GC to 17th and 26th respectively. The stage was won by Rohan Dennis who finished with a time of 14:21.

Commenting on his performance, Diego Ulissi said; “The Time Trial course was really technical with several turns, which was not helped by the wind – it really suited the Time Trial specialists who have a lot of power. I felt good considering it’s only my second race of the season and we’ll see tomorrow if we can mount a challenge for a stage win.”

Riders will now gear up for the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour and arguably the most exciting. Setting off from Qasr Al Muwaiji, riders will contest gruelling 199km route – the longest on the Abu Dhabi Tour – taking in the copper dunes of Al Ain’s desert, before looping round to pass Al Ain Oasis. The real test, especially for the sprinters, comes in the final kilometres as riders begin the ascent up the UAE’s most well-known mountain – Jebel Hafeet. This stage played a crucial part in last year’s race, as UAE Team Emirates’ Rui Costa broke free to secure the stage win and overall tour victory.

Stage Four Results

1 Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:14:21

2 Jonathan Castroviejo (Spa) Team Sky +14’’

3 Miles Scotson (Aus) BMC Racing Team +16’’

15 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +37’’

24 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates +47’’

34 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +51’’

General Classification after stage 4

1 Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing Team 11:21:10

2 Jonathan Castroviejo (Spa) Team Sky +14’’

3 Miles Scotson (Aus) BMC Racing Team +16’’

12 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +37’’

17 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates +47’’

26 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +51’’