DUBAI – Italian Sonny Colbrelli won Friday’s fourth stage of the Dubai Tour in an uphill sprint finish as compatriot Elia Viviani maintained the overall lead.
Colbrelli surged clear on the finish to Hatta Dam ahead of Dane Magnus Cort Nielsen and Timo Rodsen of the Netherlands after lone escapee Brandon McNulty was hauled in shortly before the finish.
The 19-year-old lost a 45-second lead on the short final climb at the end of the 172km stage.
Viviani finished sixth on the stage and now leads Cort Nielsen by two seconds overall with Colbrelli third at 4sec.
The Tour ends with Saturday’s 132km fifth and final stage.
Stage 4 Results:
1. Sonny Colbrelli (ITA/TBM) 3hr 40min 50sec, 2. Magnus Cort Nielsen (DAN/AST) same time, 3. Timo Rodsen (NED/TLJ) s.t., 4. Alexander (NOR/UAD) s.t., 5. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/TFS) m.t.
Overall standings:
1. Elia Viviani (ITA/QST) 16hr 00min 28sec, 2. Magnus Cort Nielsen (DAN/AST) at 2se, 3. Sonny Colbrelli (ITA/TBM) 4, 4. Nathan Van Hooydonk (BEL/BMC) 7, 5. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/Cofidis) 8