One stage remains before the fifth edition of the Dubai Tour comes to an end, and yet we’ve already been treated to a thrilling event that has featured a little bit of everything.
Stage four from Skydive Dubai to Hatta Dam, a unique course on the Tour, fittingly saw a nail-biting finish as American Brandon McNulty was caught in the final metres before Sonny Colbrelli claimed the win.
Here are three takeaways and observations from the day:
A NEW KING WILL BE CROWNED
No offence to Marcel Kittel, but the German sprint star’s domination in the past two editions sapped some of the excitement and unpredictability from the Tour.
It can be enjoyable to watch an athlete fire on all cylinders and be on top of their game, but the drama of the Tour being wide open on the final day is simply more entertaining.
Sure, Elia Viviani will be tough to beat as he enters the sprint-friendly last stage in the blue jersey, but with the way Magnus Cort Nielsen and Sonny Colbrelli have consistently performed – they trail Viviani by two and four seconds, respectively – the general classification title isn’t a given.
Regardless of which of the three pull it off, it will be good to have a fresh face holding up the Circle of Stars trophy, with Kittel and Mark Cavendish – winner of the 2015 edition – both out of the running.
NO HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
It was clear from the frustration shown by Yousif Mirza after stage four that UAE Team Emirates expected more on home soil.
Stage wins have eluded the local side as Alexander Kristoff, despite being in the mix on each of the four days, has come up just short with finishes of fourth, seventh, seventh and fourth.
As the European champion searches for his first win with his new outfit, so too are UAE Team Emirates on the year, having failed to register a victory since the turn of the calendar.
Expectations have rightly been raised, but it would be harsh to say the Tour is a failure for them if they don’t notch at least one stage win. Mirza has shown plenty of promise, while Kristoff has looked as advertised.
“My team mates were fantastic leading me to the approach of #HattaDam, my legs were fairly good, but maybe the final few meters were too heavy for me”. Said @Kristoff87 after the stage 4 🇦🇪#DubaiTour .
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamUAEAbuDhabi) February 9, 2018
📝REPORT/REACTION: https://t.co/NM4gLQscDu#UAETeamEmirates
📸:Bettini pic.twitter.com/eXcqIh9cqN
BEAUTY OF HATTA
As unforgiving as it is, stage four is considered to be the favourite by many of the riders in the Tour.
And it’s obvious why. You just don’t see many finishes like the one at Hatta Dam in the world of cycling, with its steep ascent pushing the riders to their limits.
It’s uniqueness as a course is matched by its beauty as a location. If the riders have any breath left by the time they reach the top of the summit, it’s surely taken away by the breathtaking view of blue water and mountains.
And it’s that type of individuality that helps the Dubai Tour earn its place in the cycling calendar.
I bow to the mighty Hatta Dam... 💥 Final sprint killed me today like it did with everyone.… https://t.co/ef5EydiHRh
— Marcel Kittel (@marcelkittel) February 9, 2018
