Belgian Merlier wins stage 4 of UAE Tour 2024

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DUBAI, 22nd February, 2024 (WAM) — Belgian rider Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step has won Stage 4, the Dubai Stage, of the sixth edition of the UAE Tour 2024, ahead of Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). Merlier has also won Stage 1, the Burjeel Holding Stage.

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Speaking seconds after the 168 km stage finish, Merlier said: “It would be nice to win all four flat stages but the other sprinters will make it hard for me. But I already won two stages here. I’m looking forward to more but it’s not easy. My team-mate Ilan Van Wilder crashed but I avoided it. My team-mates put me in a good spot. It looks like the train is on the rails. Because the wind was coming from the left side, I saw Olav [Kooij] going and luckily I found my way and from there it was straight forward to the line. We rode yesterday for Ilan and we show every day that we are a very strong team. Bert Van Lerberghe and I know each other since we were 12 years old. It’s nice story. Last year we came together in this team. I’m happy to have a god lead out man”. Tim Merlier joins Tadej Pogacar as the most successful rider in UAE Tour’s history: they both count 4 stage wins.

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Tim Merlier is the first rider with 2 stage wins in 2 different editions of the UAE Tour. He won last year in Al Mirfa and Abu Dhabi and this year in Liwa and Dubai.

Belgium is the first country with 6 stage wins at the UAE Tour, leaving Slovenia at 5 and Australia at 4.

Saeed Hareb, General Secretary of Dubai Sports Council, Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Colonel Abdullah Al Marri, Director of Events Department for Dubai Police, and Eng. Abdullah Jassem, Event Planning Manager of Road and Transport Authority, awarded the stage winner Tim Merlier

Starting tomorrow from Al Aqah to reach Umm Al Qaiwain, the 182 km – Al Aqah stage heads through the desert areas on the edge of the Hajar Mountains. Here it covers several stretches of motorway until reaching Umm al Quwain for the final sprint. The entire route takes place on wide, straight and well-paved roads through the desert.

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Provisional Stage Results:

1 – Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), 168km in 4h01’47”, av. speed 41.690 km/h

2 – Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) s.t.

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3 – Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) s.t.

General Classification:

1 – Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates)

2 – Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) at 11″

3 – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) at 13″

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).