In the stage with start in Al Ain, Team Jumbo-Visma, along with a number of other teams, tried to try and set up some echelons in the crosswinds. In the end, the wind was not strong enough to split the race apart. Bouwman was then accompanied by his teammates and they positioned him well at the foot of the final climb.

“We were prepared for echelons”, sports director Addy Engels said. “The wind wasn’t strong enough to split things apart. The peloton was nervous all day, but in the end nothing happened. Then we brought Koen to the foot of the final climb as well as possible. From that moment on he could do his own thing. He gave everything and rode a decent climb. That’s good to see after all the hard work for Dylan during the past few days. Furthermore, everyone finished the stage without any problems. Two flat stages are yet to come and we will fully go for the sprint with Dylan again.”