Favorites stage 4 UAE Tour 2025 | Titan clash between Merlier, Milan and Philipsen —Or will a fourth sprinter steal the win?

Tadej Pogacar took the leader’s jersey on Wednesday at Jebel Jais. But on Thursday, it's time for the sprinters again. The stage finishes in Umm al-Quwain with a relatively easy route, this time without an uphill finish. This makes it a perfect course for the pure speedsters, and plenty of them are present in the United Arab Emirates! IDLProCycling.com previews the action.

Course for stage 4 UAE Tour 2025

Stage 4 is the first real opportunity for all top sprinters in this year's UAE Tour. Covering 181 kilometers, the route takes the peloton from Fujairah Qidfa Beach to Umm al-Quwain. There is a small climb early in the stage, but no KOM points are awarded—only an intermediate sprint. After that, it’s all slightly downhill or flat. The finish is also straightforward, without any hidden challenges like the uphill drag in Stage 1—Thursday will be all about pure speed.

Times
Start: 09:15
Finish: 13:30

Weather stage 4 UAE Tour 2025

What? No sun? Riders might actually get a bit of rain on Thursday! The temperature will be pleasant, ranging from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius. There will also be a light breeze, but not strong enough to create echelons.

Favorites stage 4 UAE Tour 2025

As mentioned, tomorrow is all about raw speed, and land luckily, the UAE Tour peloton features the three fastest sprinters of 2024:. Jonathan Milan, Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen will all be there. It promises to be a titan duel between the three sprinters, who have not often been all present at the same time. Interesting to follow!

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Milan already won the first stage by beating Philipsen

But on the second line, we also see some interesting names who could jump to victory just like a jack-in-the-box. Think Phil Bauhaus, Dylan Groenewegen and Sam Welsford. Arvid de Kleijn sprinted to second place three times last year - can he do it this time? And what can Fabio Jakobsen still do?

Favorites stage 4 UAE Tour 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunick), Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Outsiders: Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla), Sam Welsford (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Arvid de Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
Longshots: Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain), Fabio Jakobsen (Team Picnic-PostNL), Gerben Thijssen (Intermarche-Wanty), Fernando Gaviria (Movistar)

Read also

Pogacar delivered a perfect lead-out, but for the wrong team: "The idea was obviously stuck in my head"

"Tadej just had his breakfast," says Alaphilippe, who shares his opinion as the Pogacar of his time: "It makes me sad"

Fourth last year in the Tour of Flanders, but now back as domestique: "Pogačar isn't afraid of Van der Poel or Van Aert"

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