UAE go on the attack to climb podium at Saudi Tour

UAE Team Emirates climbed the podium on stage 4 of the Saudi Tour with Davide Formolo and Felix Grossschartner taking 2nd and 4th place respectively on the stage behind winner and new race leader Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar).

The Queen stage of the race from Maraya to Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid (163.4km) featured a decisive climb in the final 12km.

After some great teamwork from their teammates in the run-in to the foothills of the climb both Grossschartner and Formolo worked as a duo to try and work-over Guerreiro and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) who were the last men standing.

Formolo came within a wheel length of victory in the final sprint, though UAE Team Emirates do take the lead in the teams classification.

 
Davide Formolo: “It was a short and steep climb near the end. The conditions were good: not too hot and not too windy but it was very hot. The pace on the climb wasn’t enough for so I tried to push it on but we couldn’t get rid of the other guys, but that’s cycling. We came away with god results even if we really wanted the victory. We will try again tomorrow for the last day.”

The Saudi Tour concludes tomorrow with Stage 5 from AlUla Old Town to Maraya (142.9km).

Stage 4 results

1.Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar) 3:45:01
2.Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3.Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) s.t
4.Felix Grossschartner (UAE Team Emirates) +4’’

 
General Classification after stage 4

1.Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar) 17:09:51
2.Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +8’’
3.Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) +9’’
4.Felix Grossschartner (UAE Team Emirates) +18’’