Stage 4 brought a reshuffling of the general classification.
A steady climb, averaging 5.7% over 18.7 kilometers, but featuring also some steeper parts, Jebel Jais welcomed the peloton for the third time in four years, and unlike the previous editions, the skirmishes between the favourites began early, with around seven kilometers left to the top.
As a result, the peloton was whittled down long before the gradient stiffened, leaving just a couple of riders in contention on what is considered the easier of the race’s two summit finishes. Fausto Masnada remained in the reduced bunch until inside three kilometers to go, when the pace intensified and he lost contact with the select group from which Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) took the victory.
With three stages left, two for the sprinters (Al Marjan Island and Dubai) and one of which will be the demanding mountain top finish to Jebel Hafeet, the Italian continues to be Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s best placed rider in the general classification.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
