Home victory for UAE Team Emirates thanks to Colombian sprinter
Thursday 23 February, 2023
It was a cause for celebration in the UAE with a perfect sprint and victory for Juan Sebastian Molano, who was victorious on stage 4 of the UAE Tour in Dubai.
The Colombian rider was the fastest man in the peloton in the massive sprint on the final straight of stage 4 (Al Shindagha-Dubai Harbour, 174 km), a few centimeters ahead of Olav Koji (Jumbo-Visma), Sam Welsford (Team DSM) and Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor).
The three man breakaway that had led the race for most of the course was neutralized at 2,6 km to go, then the battle for the best positions in view of the final straight begun.
Molano was skilful in keeping himself well covered, waiting for the best moment to exit from the slipstream of the other rivals who had started their sprints earlier: the Colombian rider succeeded in overtaking everyone to take his first win of the season.
For Molano, this is the 20th victory as pro rider, for UAE Team Emirates this is the 10th success in 2023.
Molano: “It is an amazing victory for me and for the team in a race which is very important for us as a team and for all of UAE as a country. I am happy for everybody, for my teammates, our sponsors and for all the staff members. I took my last victory in a prestigious stage such as the last one of the Vuelta, now it’s great to have added this new success in another big race. I’m really delighted with it.”
The fast-men of the bunch will have the chance to battle again tomorrow on stage 5, 170 km from Al Marjan Island to Umm al Quwain.
Stage 4 results
- Juan Sebastian Molano(UAE Team Emirates) 3:50:01
- Olav Koji (Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
- Sam Welsford (Team DSM) s.t
General classification after stage 4
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) 12:17:23
- Luke Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers) +7”
- Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) +11”
