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
