The Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider, the Olympic omnium champion, timed his sprint for the line to perfection as he emerged victorious in a tight finish to what had been a relatively uneventful 181 kilometres route from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan.

The Italian's team gave him the ideal platform from which to launch a victory push with around two kiloemtres to go and he duly crossed the line a wheel ahead of Fernando Gaviria in this International Cycling Union WorldTour event. 

Viviani clocked 4 hours 48min 59sec to win the stage, while there was no change to the general classification going into the deciding weekend.

Gaviria, the Colombian who rides for UAE Team Emirates, was among those involved in the sprint finish along with Marcel Kittel and Sam Bennett.

Slovenia's Team Jumbo rider Visma's Roglič remains the one to beat heading into the final two stages, the first of which sees the riders tackle a 180km mountainous trek from Ajman to Jebel Jais tomorrow.

"Winning is always important and I am proud of the team and myself," said Viviani.

"The ending was very chaotic, I do not even know who did second or third

"Today the guys have done a great job, allowing me to save energy until the end."