OLAV KOOIJ WINS STAGE 5 OF THE UAE TOUR JAY VINE RETAINS THE RED JERSEY

Umm al Quwain, 23 February 2024 - Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) has won Stage 5, the Fujairah Stage, of the sixth edition of the UAE Tour, ahead of Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Sam Welsford (Bora - Hansgrohe).

PROVISIONAL STAGE RESULTS

1 - Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) , 182km in 4h08'38", av. speed 43.920 km/h

2 - Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) s.t.

3 - Sam Welsford (Bora - Hansgrohe) 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"
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• 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 - Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
• 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)
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• Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Olav Kooij said: "I didn't know that I was the winner so I was very happy to be declared the winner from the photo-finish. After the first two sprints, I got better but you need everything right to win. I tried to not get too much wind in the finale and a good position at the last roundabout. I thought I was maybe a bit far but I managed to follow Mark Cavendish on the right. Luckily there was a little gap and I could pass everyone. My stage win at Paris-Nice last year was very nice but the field of sprinters here is very strong so it makes it another very nice one. Now I'm excited to see what I will be able to do at my first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia, after this good start of the season".