Tadej Pogacar effortlessly defended the overall lead at the UAE Tour in the United Arab Emirates. The Slovenian finished on Thursday on the fourth stage with the main field as 46th at the same time as winner Jonathan Milan (Italy/Lidl-Trek).
Milan won the mass sprint in front of the Belgians Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
Second victory for Milan
Pogacar thus claimed his lead of 18 seconds ahead of the British top talent Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers). The three-time Tour de France winner Pogacar had taken the lead in the overall classification at the home race of his team UAE Emirates-XRG the day before. Top sprinter Milan, on the other hand, celebrated his second stage victory at the UAE Tour after the success of the opening.
Bauhaus becomes eighth
Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) was eighth of the best German on the 181 km long and largely flat section of Fuudschaira Qidfa to Umm al-Qaiwain. The fifth stage on Friday also plays the sprinters in the cards. The UAE Tour ends next Sunday with the mountain arrival on the Jebel Hafeet with the seventh stage.