UAE Tour

Tim Merlier is leading again the points classification at the World Tour race after finishing on the podium on stage 5 – the sprinters’ penultimate opportunity this week. The Belgian – victorious on the previous two days that concluded in a mass gallop – was again the fastest in the bunch, but had to come from a long way back on the finishing straight, and despite making up ground at an incredible pace, he lost for the smallest of margins on the line and had to settle for second.

It was Merlier’s sixth podium of the season, and the points it came with meant that the 31-year-old reclaimed the green jersey which he wore for one day this week, after the opening stage. With just one more chance for the sprinters here, Tim is in pole-position to take it home, just like he did two weeks ago, at the AlUla Tour.

“Today was a really close one. I am disappointed, of course, because I didn’t win, as I had the legs and the confidence, but at the same time I am happy with getting back the green jersey. I have a pretty good advantage in the standings and hopefully it will be mine also mathematically after Saturday, when I will try again with the help of my team”, said Merlier after Soudal Quick-Step’s 21st top-three result of the year.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images