Perfectly launched by his teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre, the Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R), 28, extricated himself from the group of favorites 1 kilometer from the finish to win alone at the top of Jabel Jais this Wednesday. He won the 3rd stage of the Tour of the United Arab Emirates (Al Marjan Island – Jebel Jais), 5 seconds ahead of another Australian, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) and the Belgian Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny).
O’Connor holds his second victory of the season after winning the Tour of Murcia less than two weeks ago. This is already two more than last season since he had not raised his arms since April 2022, on the Tour du Jura.
Abandon d’Adam Yates, Jay Vine nouveau leader
Favorite of the event and defending champion, the Briton Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) fell heavily on his head more than forty kilometers from the finish. Although he got up without any visible marks on his body, he seemed disoriented when the slope began to rise in the finale and preferred to throw in the towel.
The UAE Team Emirates will be able to console themselves thanks to the leader’s tunic worn by Jay Vine. The Australian stole first place in the general classification from his teammate Brandon McNulty. The American showed his limits in the final hectometers of the climb but remains 3rd. Ben O’Connor, 2nd, 11 seconds behind the new leader, is inserted between the two teammates.
On Thursday, a less difficult stage awaits the peloton with a probable sprint finish at Dubai Harbour.
