Sam Bennett outguns Dekker and Ewan to clinch Stage 4 Victory!

Sam Bennett claimed the fourth stage of the UAE Tour on Wednesday on Marjan Island. Tadej Pogacar retains the leader’s red jersey

Bennett beat David Dekker, Caleb Ewan and Elia Viviani at the end of the 204-kilometre stage.

“It feels good to win my first sprint of the season,” said the 30-year-old. “I was really nervous before the sprint because it was the first fast bunch finish of the year for me.”

Pogacar retains a 43-second cushion over Adam Yates in the general classification.

“It was a pretty long and hot day in the saddle,” reported Tour de France champion Pogacar.

“It was a shame that our sprinter Fernando Gaviria didn’t win, but we have another opportunity tomorrow,” he added, referring to Thursday’s fifth stage which ends at Jebel Jais, for the second summit finish of the event.

“The next stage is going to be super hard. We all know how strong Adam Yates is. I hope to have good legs again,” added Pogacar.

VIDEO: 2021 UAE Tour Stage 4 Highlights

2021 UAE Tour Stage 4 Top 10

1 Sam Bennett (Irl) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (Aus) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (Ita) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
6 Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
7 Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain Victorious
8 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Team Qhubeka Assos
9 Fernando Gaviria Rendon (Col) UAE Team Emirates
10 Kaden Groves (Aus) Team BikeExchange 

2021 UAE Tour GC after Stage 4

1 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers 0:00:43
3 João Almeida (Por) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (Aus) Jumbo-Visma 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 0:01:45
6 Mattias Jensen (Den) Trek-Segafredo 0:02:36
7 Mattia Cattaneo (Ita) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:02:38
8 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
9 Ruben Fernandez Andujar (Spa) Cofidis 0:03:32
10 Fausto Masnada (Ita) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:04:47