The second mountain test of the UAE Tour awaited the peloton today as they rolled out of the start at Fujairah Marine Club, with the summit finish of Jebel Jais looming 170 kilometres in the distance. It was a quiet start to the stage, with one lone rider forging on at the head of the race before more riders jumped across at 80 kilometres to go, forming a group of nine out front.

With all Team DSM riders in the peloton focus remained on keeping the team’s climbers – Thymen Arensman, Mark Donovan and Florian Stork – safe for the climb to the line. A shallower finale than the ascent of Jebel Hafeet, what Jebel Jais lacks in gradient it makes up for in length, with the climb averaging almost five and a half percent for its 22 kilometres.

With the breakaway riding well and holding on to a strong lead as the race hit the lower slopes of the ascent, it meant a strong and steady tempo was set all the way up the climb. Arensman, Donovan and Stork rode well as other riders were dropped, before Arensman and Donovan had to let go of the wheels as the climb entered its second half, with Stork staying within the group.

Attacks flew from the now reduced peloton, as the charging peloton closed in on the last lone breakaway rider. Stork dug deep, staying with those in front of him for as long as he could, crossing the line just a few second behind the winner of the stage in 14th place for the team. With other riders ahead of him falling down the GC order, today’s stage result also sees Stork move up to a solid 12th place in the overall classification.

“Again the guys did a good job today and they looked after me all day long, keeping me out of the wind,” explained Stork after the stage. “It was really good work from the guys and everyone was really committed. The climb went okay and in the final I was in a good position to go for another top result. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the legs to make the very front selection but I’m satisfied with the performance and to move up on the GC, and I’m happy with how things are going at the moment.”

Team DSM coach Luke Roberts: “Today’s stage was a little bit on and off from the beginning. First there was no interest in attacks, then a lot of interest, before a solo break went clear. Some action came through the middle of the race and another eight riders joined the leader out front. We kept our focus on positioning our climbers going onto the Jebel Jais climb and the guys did that well. Florian has done another really solid ride, sticking with the front group all the way up the climb. We just fell short of another top ten on the stage but it was a really good ride from him.”