The flat stage was characterised by an early breakaway that reached a lead of maximum ten minutes and echelons that caused commotion in the peloton. Team Jumbo-Visma, which controlled the race the whole day, was well-represented in the first echelon with Roglic, Tom Leezer and Laurens De Plus.

“Today was a typical stage that you can expect here, in the desert. There was a lot of wind in the beginning, which created echelons”, Roglic said. “I was in the first group with a few teammates and they kept me out of the wind. In the end it all came back together and the stage finished in a sprint. My teammates were very strong today and I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me. Everything was going according to plan today.”

Tomorrow, the UAE Tour will have its first mountain top finish. “Tomorrow we’ll have to stay alert. It will be a difficult stage. I have never raced here, so I do not know the Jebel Hafeet climb. I am going to do my very best to defend the jersey”, the Slovenian concluded.