Tadej Pogacar goes to the last stage in the UAE Tour in the United Arab Emirates as the overall leader and is before his first tour of the year. In the renewed sprint victory of Belgian Tim Merlier on Saturday after 165 km at Abu Dhabi Breakwater, the 26-year-old finished with the main field.
Pogacar takes 15 seconds ahead of the British Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) into the final stage, which ends after 176 km with a crunchy mountain arrival at a height of 1076 m on the Hafit jabal.
Philipsen second
Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), who had already triumphed in the mass sprint the day before, prevailed in front of his compatriot Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Jonathan Milan (Italy/Lidl-Trek), who also won two stages, finished third. Max Walscheid (Neuwied/Jayco Alula) has a strong fourth place.
The three-time Tour de France winner Pogacar celebrated his first win of the season on the third stage. The 26-year-old won the tour in 2021 and 2022.