Jasper Philipsen sprints to victory on stage five of UAE Tour
Belgian rider wins second sprint of the race ahead of Olav Kooij and Sam Bennett


Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Fenix comprehensively out-sprinted the rest of the field to claim stage five of the UAE Tour, his second of the week-long race.
The Belgian followed Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) after the Irishman launched earlier, and comfortably rounded him in the final 100m. Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) pipped Bennett to the line to finish second and achieve his joint highest result at WorldTour level.
Philipsen strengthened his grip on the points jersey with the victory, and had time to sit up and celebrate as he crossed the line. It is his eight WorldTour victory.
Mark Cavendish (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), the winner of stage two's sprint finish, did not contest the final, possibly showing the after effects of his crash on Wednesday's stage.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates) survived a scare after a late puncture to finish with the bunch and hold onto the leader's jersey.
How it happened
The third sprint stage of this UAE Tour was largely a relaxed affair, similar to the first two, with the real action coming towards the end of the day.
From almost when the flag dropped, three riders from Gazprom-RusVelo, Dmitry Strahkov, Pavel Kochetkov and Michael Kukrle attacked, along with Alessandro Tonelli (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè). The Gazprom riders were attempting to maintain the lead of Strahkov in the intermediate sprints comptetition.
They were caught after 40km in front after crosswinds caused an acceleration and then a split in the bunch; Adam Yates and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) were among those caught out by the brief separation.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) contested the first intermediate sprint, in the red leaders and green points jerseys respectively. The bonus seconds gained by Pogačar meant that he has extended his lead in the general classification.
The peloton came back together after 20km apart, and Strahkov, Tonelli and Kochetkov were again part of a breakaway that also included Johnatan Cañaveral of Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè. Strahkov claimed the second intermediate sprint, before the attack was swept up by the peloton.
With 31km to go, Kukrle attacked again, and remained alone out front until 2.8km to the finish.
Inside the final 7km, Pogačar faced a brief moment of danger when he punctured, but the Slovenian quickly made it back to the bunch and continued his overall lead in the race as a result.
In the sprint, Israel-Premier Tech kicked their leadout off first, aiming to deliver Rudy Barbier in a prime position. Bora-Hansgrohe then took to the front, but Sam Bennett went early and could not keep up with Philipsen when he finally launched his sprint.
Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) rounded Bennett in the final metres to take second, while Philipsen was able to enjoy his victory in front.
Results
UAE Tour 2022, Stage five: Ras al Khaimah Corniche to Al Marjan Island (182km)
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix, in 4-17-04
2. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma, at same time
3. Sam Bennett (Ire) Bora-Hansgrohe
4. Matteo Malucelli (Ita) Gazprom-RusVelo
5. Rudy Barbier (Fra) Israel-Premier Tech
6. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
7. Arnaud Démare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
8. Alberto Dainese (Ita) Team DSM
9. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar
10. Marc Brustenga (Esp) Trek-Segafredo, all at same time
General classification after stage five
1. Tadej Pogačar (Svn) UAE Team Emirates, in 18-19-37
2. Filippo Ganna (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers, at 4s
3. Aleksandr Vlasov (Kaz) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 14s
4. Adam Yates (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers, at 17s
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost, at 25s
6. João Almeida (Por) UAE-Team Emirates, at 30s
7. Pello Bilbao (Esp) Bahrain-Victorious, at 37s
8. Óscar Rodríguez (Esp) Movistar, at 40s
9. Ruben Guerreiro (Por) EF Education-EasyPost, at 42s
10. Geoffrey Bouchard (Fra) AG2R Citroën Team, at 43s
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hello, I'm Cycling Weekly's senior news and features writer. I love road racing first and foremost, but my interests spread beyond that. I like sticking to the tarmac on my own bike, however.
Before joining the team here I wrote for Procycling for almost two years, interviewing riders and writing about racing.
Prior to covering the sport of cycling, I wrote about ecclesiastical matters for the Church Times and politics for Business Insider. I have degrees in history and journalism.
-
-
David Millar: Why Mark Cavendish deserves to be at the Tour de France
Cav has bridged generations in a way no one else could, he shows what's possible
By David Millar • Published
-
Young and talented: Meet the seven Americans racing Le Tour
Young and talented: Meet the seven American bike racers ringing Le Tour de France in 2022.
By Marshall Opel • Published
-
Van der Poel not targeting green jersey at Tour de France
Jasper Philipsen will be the main sprinter at Alpecin-Fenix
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar wins UAE Tour with stage seven victory atop Jebel Hafeet
The Slovenian claimed the red jersey with his second stage win of the race.
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Mathias Vacek wins stage six of UAE Tour as peloton fails to catch breakaway
Gazprom-RusVelo make numbers in break count as sprinters have to settle for minor places
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Filippo Ganna sticks with the climbers in 'ride of the day' performance on UAE Tour summit finish
The Italian time trial specialist showed he is capable of keeping pace on mountain stages too, crossing the line in 11th
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'Having a team like this gives you goosebumps': Pogačar credits team after UAE Tour triumph
Slovenian takes control of leader's jersey after stage four
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar takes the UAE Tour leader's jersey after stage four victory
The Slovenian leads Filippo Ganna by just two seconds on general classification
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Ineos reveal why Luke Plapp completed UAE Tour time trial on road bike
The young Australian crashed during the recon, causing a mechanical issue to his time trial bike
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar 'pretty happy' with fourth place in UAE Tour time trial
The Slovenian sits fifth on general classification after three stages
By Adam Becket • Published