Lars Boom and Vincenzo Nibali were mentioned as potential outsiders for today's stage of the Dubai Tour but they decided to work for teammate Alexey Lutsenko. In the end, the team cam away empty-handed as the Kazakh faded after doing a long sprint.

“I tried a breakaway in the finale but there was no collaboration," Lars Boom said after stage three at the Dubai Tour.

A short, steep climb at the end of the race brought Boom and a reduced main peloton to the finish together, with German rider John Degenkolb winning to take the leader’s blue jersey.

Boom and Vincenzo Nibali worked all day to keep teammate Alexey Lutsenko fresh for the final, but strong winds prevented the group from splitting up before the final uphill kilometer.

"In the finale, I worked for Lutsenko. I am happy with my race and I feel calm. All is going well," Nibali said.

Saturday’s stage four into Dubai city finishes at the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, and brings one last opportunity for a sprint at the Dubai Tour.