Rohan Dennis takes Abu Dhabi lead

Abu Dhabi : Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing) surged into the overall lead at the Abu Dhabi Tour after taking victory in the key time trial on stage 4. 

The Australian completed the 12.6km course in a time of 14:21, some 14 seconds quicker than his closest rival Jonathan Castroviejo (Team Sky), while his teammate Miles Scotson finished third a further two seconds back. 

Dennis now leads Castroviejo in the overall standings by the same margin he beat him by in the time trial. 

World champion Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) was one of the favourites going into the stage but suffered a mechanical, which was fatal to his chances of victory.

After three straight days for the sprinters, the overall classification was game for almost anyone with a decent time trial in their arsenal. 

Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) would roll out last as the race leader, but his advantage over much of the pack was 13 seconds and he would have to pull out the effort of his life to retain the red jersey.

Team Sunweb set the early benchmark, with Nikias Arndt going around the course in a time of 14:43, beating the likes of Alex Dowsett (Katusha-Alpecin) as he crossed the line. He would enjoy almost half an hour in the hot seat before Scotson came in and booted him off. 

Dennis set off while Scotson was still out on course and there was little time to get comfortable for the young Australian before he too was bumped down a spot in the standings as Dennis went 16 seconds quicker. 

Al Maryah Island to Al Maryah Island, 12.6km

1. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing, in 14 hrs 21 min

2. Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp) Team Sky, at 14 secs

3. Miles Scotson (Aus) BMC Racing, at 16 secs

4. Jos van Emden (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 16 secs

5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 16 secs

6. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing, at 17 secs

7. Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Sunweb, at 22 secs

8. Patrick Bevin (NZl) BMC Racing, at 23 secs

9. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar, at 27 secs

10. Alex Dowsett (GBr) Katusha-Alpecin, at 29 secs

General classification 

1. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing, in 11 hrs 21 min 10 secs

2. Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp) Team Sky, at 14 secs

3. Miles Scotson (Aus) BMC Racing, at 16 secs

4. Jos van Emden (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 16 secs

5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 16 secs