Dylan Groenewegen won the fifth stage of the UAE Tour on Friday. It is the second victory of the season for the 29-year-old Dutchman. He left some big names behind in the bunch sprint.
Groenewegen was convincingly ahead of the competition. Fernando Gaviria finished second and Sam Bennett completed the podium. Top sprinters Tim Merlier (fifth), Sam Welsford (sixth) and Mark Cavendish (eighth) also had to acknowledge their superiority in the Dutchman.
“It was a difficult sprint, but I knew the legs felt good,” said Groenewegen shortly after his victory. “I was put off well by the other guys. I came on Bennett’s wheel at the right time and I am very happy with this victory.”
The peloton started the flat stage over 177 kilometers at a leisurely pace. Thomas De Gendt of Lotto Dstny tried his luck and rode solo for 80 kilometers. He did not get more than three minutes ahead and the peloton counted the Belgian at 22 kilometers before the line.
Unfortunately, this content cannot be displayedWe do not have permission for the necessary cookies. Accept the cookies to view this content.
Wind causes stress
As in the first stage, the wind in the final phase caused stress in the peloton. With 15 kilometers to go it looked like Luke Plapp was going to lose his second place in the standings by an echelon, but his INEOS Grenadiers side managed to close the gap.
On Thursday, the fourth stage was still a prey for sprinter Juan Sebastián Molano. Olav Kooij followed by a few centimeters in that stage, but was not involved in the fifth stage. He had to settle for ninth place and lost his green points jersey to Merlier.
Remco Evenepoel retains his leading position in the general classification. The Belgian will start the sixth stage on Saturday with nine seconds ahead of Plapp, also a flat stage. Sunday’s final stage finishes with a 10-kilometer climb.
Top 5 algemeen klassement
- 1. Remco Evenepoel
- 2. Lucas Plapp +9
- 3. Pello Bilbao +13
- 4. Stefan De Bod +1.03
- 5. Wout Poels +1.06
