Mitchelton-Scott's Adam Yates' solo victory on Tuesday's third stage, Jebel Hafeet, by more than a minute over second-place finisher Tadej Pogacar, appears to have settled the overall standings for this year's UAE Tour (open in new tab), but Irishman Eddie Dunbar remained Team Ineos' best rider, moving up to 10th overall after finishing the same stage in the same position.

The same summit finish was used for Thursday's stage 5, and Dunbar moved up from 32nd overall overnight, suggesting that he may be one of the riders in contention for a stage win.

While Thursday's climb could reverse the fortunes of the top contenders, the 23-year-old Dunbar is realistic that the top five positions have likely been decided.

"I think we can go a little bit faster on Thursday because a lot of the guys won't be going as hard on the climbs," he said.

"The top three (five riders) in GC are way ahead of last year's times. There will be more riders looking for the stage win than the overall win, so I think the race will be different."

"I actually felt really good. My legs felt good all day and everyone kept me out of trouble. On the last climb, I stuck to the right side of the road and stayed there until the climb was over."

Dunbar praised his Ineos teammates, including four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, who was making his comeback to the race for the first time since falling in last year's Criterium du Dauphiné, for guiding him into position on the climb and descent, especially praised Michael Golas and Salvatore Puccio.

"Then the riders started to swarm a little bit. It was very hot at the beginning of the climb, and the climb was pretty tough." Normally I don't suffer from the heat, but today it was pretty hot. We did what we could.

Dunbar also explained that he usually prefers "punchy" climbs like Jebel Hafit, but on Tuesday's stage "it just wasn't there."

"I tried and got a gap in the last 2km but couldn't hold it. Performance-wise it was good, but it's a shame we got a little bit away from the leading group," Dunbar said.