Olav Kooij wins Stage 5 of UAE Tour in close call

A dramatic photo finish decided the winner of the Fujairah Stage of the UAE Tour, which featured 182 km of racing from Al Aqah to Umm Al Quwain.

Olav Kooij won the race ahead of Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Sam Welsford (Bora – Hansgrohe).

It was the closest sprint yet at the Tour, with Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) narrowly denying Merlier his hat-trick of stage wins.

After two victories in two sprints, Merlier had to surrender to the 22-year-old Dutch rider, who started on the left side of the road and was able to resist his rival’s comeback, who consoled himself with the lead in the Green Jersey classification.

Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) retains the Red Jersey.

What a finish for @olavkooij on winning stage 5: Fujairah Stage of UAE Tour 🙌
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.@abudhabisc@dubaisc@ihcofficial@italiait@Nakheelofficial@binhamoodahauto @burjeelholdings@presightai@aldar
@almarinaholding@modonproperties@dubaiharbour@dubaisportstv@adtvmena pic.twitter.com/LR03uJeFPK

— UAE Tour Official (@uae_tour) February 23, 2024