TIM MERLIER WINS STAGE 4 OF THE UAE TOUR JAY VINE RETAINS THE RED JERSEY

Dubai Harbour, 22 February 2024 - Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) has won Stage 4, the Dubai Stage, of the sixth edition of the UAE Tour, ahead of Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).

PROVISIONAL STAGE RESULTS
1 - Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), 168km in 4h01'47", av. speed 41.690 km/h
2 - Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) s.t.
3 - Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates)
2 - Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) at 11"
3 - Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) at 13"

THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS

The leader jerseys of the UAE Tour are provided by ALÉ

• Red Jersey, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by International Holding Company - Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates)
• Green Jersey, leader of the Points Classification - Mark Stewart (Team Corratec - Vini Fantini)
• White Jersey, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Nakheel - Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step)
• Black Jersey, leader of the Intermediate Sprint Classification, sponsored by Bin Hamoodah Auto - Mark Stewart (Team Corratec - Vini Fantini)

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Tim Merlier said: "It might have looked easy, but it wasn't. Sprinting is never easy. With my team-mates we found each other really good today. They brought me in a very good position. In the last 500 metres I was waiting to start my sprint. I wanted to go early but I managed not to. Olav Kooij went first and I passed him. I love to win again. It's nice to hear that I'm making history being the first sprinter to win two stages in two consecutive UAE Tour. I want to make more history in the next two days as the team is on the rails for more successes, but it won't be easy".