In the unusual setting of racing under the floodlights on the motor racing circuit, former British champion Kristian House (ONE Pro Cycling) was one of five riders to get in the day’s breakaway.

Dimension Data did the bulk of the chasing, while Astana kept race leader Kangert safe on the front as the race always seemed likely to end in a sprint finish.

House, Fredrik Frisson (Lotto-Soudal) and Michal Paluta (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) attacked the breakaway as the final lap approached, but continued to attack each other before eventually being swept up for the final circuit.

BMC Racing and Orica-BikeExchange hit the front, stretching the peloton out, but Cavendish remained well-placed heading into the sprint.

His 143rd career victory ended his 2016 season on a high, with only two Six Day races, with Sir Bradley Wiggins, to come this calendar year.

Kangert sealed overall victory, meanwhile – his 21-second lead over Team Sky’s Nicolas Roche never looking under threat.

Abu Dhabi Tour 2016: stage four – result

1) Mark Cavendish (GBR) – Dimension Data – 3.07.44hrs
2) Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) – Trek-Segafredo – ST
3) Elia Viviani (ITA) – Team Sky
4) Magnus Cort Nielsen (DEN) – Orica-BikeExchange
5) Jempy Drucker (LUX) – BMC Racing
6) Ramon Sinkeldam (NED) – Giant-Alpecin
7) Michael Matthews (AUS) – Orica-BikeExchange
8) Sacha Modolo (ITA) – Lampre-Merida
9) Mark Renshaw (AUS) – Dimension Data
10) Michael Kolar (SVK) – Tinkoff

General classification

1) Tanel Kangert (EST) – Astana – 12.27.34hrs
2) Nicolas Roche (IRL) – Team Sky +21”
3) Diego Ulissi (ITA) – Lampre-Merida +43”
4) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Astana +1.00
5) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Tinkoff – ST
6) Julien Bernard (FRA) – Trek-Segafredo +1.02
7) Ben Hermans (BEL) – BMC Racing +1.29
8) Martijn Tusveld (NED) – Giant-Alpecin +1.38
9) Winner Anacona (COL) – Movistar – ST
10) Jesper Hansen (DEN) – Tinkoff