Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia: Tom Pidcock took a big step towards winning the Al-Ula Tour when he claimed his second win of the week in Friday´s fourth ´queen stage´ in Saudi Arabia.

The 25-year-old Briton, who also won Wednesday´s second stage where he dropped his rivals impressively on the Bir Jaydah mountain, again went solo on a steep climb up to the desert high plateau of Harrat Uwayrid. Pidcock finish 12 seconds ahead of the South African Alan Hatherly with the Austrian Rainer Kepplinger in third.

“On such a steep climb, I just went at my own pace. Attack is the best defence. I´m very happy to be able to extend my lead overall,” commented Pidcock who has switched this season from Ineos to Swiss team Q36.5. He now has a 29sec lead over Kepplinger with Hatherly a further 3sec behind with the final stage promised to the sprinters.