UAE Tour 2020, February 23- February 29

[Earns1985]

Also think that the GC will be decided between Pogacar and Buchmann.

There are only 2 real stages where the GC will take shape and both are the same MTF. (Hatta Dam will only be secends..) At the moment I think these two are the best two climbers in the startlist and they both showed that they are in shape.

Because it´s early in the season A.Yates, Gaudu or de Plus could surpise, too. Don´t expect a lot of Froome here..

 

[Red Rick]

Think Pogacar is the favorite here as far as that's possible on this route.

Should be a measuring stick for Valverde who won on the climb the previous 2 years.

 

[Blanco]

By the way something was wrong last year and this year it's worse this year.

Yes, something was wrong with him last year, then nothing was wrong, and now again something is wrong, and later probably again nothing will be wrong.

It could be something with the year of his birth, you know...

 

[Earns1985]

Apart from the GC battle especially interesting will be the sprints.

With Bennett, Ackermann, Gaviria and Ewan the best four sprinters in the world at the moment (sorry Viviani) will battle here...

 

[tobydawq]

Apart from the GC battle especially interesting will be the sprints.

With Bennett, Ackermann, Gaviria and Ewan the best four sprinters in the world at the moment (sorry Viviani) will battle here...

And Groenewegen!

 

[Earns1985]

And Groenewegen!

You are right. Forgot about him!

 

[repre]

Apart from the GC battle especially interesting will be the sprints.

With Bennett, Ackermann, Gaviria and Ewan the best four sprinters in the world at the moment (sorry Viviani) will battle here...

Where is Cav?

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1229385003034869763

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1229385003034869763

 

[jaylew]

Where is Cav?

He won't sniff a victory against that lot.

 

[Breezy1985]

Where is Cav?

probably back behind the top sprinters leadout men in the sprints or rolling over the line with the bunch

 

[Lequack]

Startlist is now final.

Full startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/uae-tour/2020/gc/startlist

 

[Lequack]

 

[MADRAZO]

What happened to EF Education in the startlist. The team is always the slowest of all to publish their teams but now they are just missing completely on all startlists?

 

[Lequack]

What happened to EF Education in the startlist. The team is always the slowest of all to publish their teams but now they are just missing completely on all startlists?

I think it's one of those new WT races where WT teams can still opt out of it. It seems that's what EF chose to do.

 

[Lequack]

 

[MADRAZO]

I think it's one of those new WT races where WT teams can still opt out of it. It seems that's what EF chose to do.

Yes you are probably right. They were just listed yesterday on Procyclingsts with only Halvorsen mentioned. But I suppose that must be the reason.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Gaudu, De Plus, Knox were good here last year. Let's see how they progressed.
Valverde was also good (winning a MTF). Curious for Buchmann and Froome.
We already know TOP is in fine form after his win in Valencia.

 

[RedheadDane]

TOP?
Tadej… Overallwinner?... Pogacar… (What's the 'O'?)

 

[MartinGT]

Just cannot get excited about these races. I think however this is going to be interesting to see how Froome goes.

 

[tobydawq]

Just cannot get excited about these races. I think however this is going to be interesting to see how Froome goes.

I also think the sprinting will be quite captivating.

You don't see Gaviria, Ewan, Groenewegen, Bennett, Ackermann and Démare in the same race every day.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Lovely memories from the last year, when Roglič has won. Hope Pogačar does good this year. If Froome will finish in top 5 then he should be in a good shape, when it comes to the Tour.

 

[Ranagazoo]

I also think the sprinting will be quite captivating.

You don't see Gaviria, Ewan, Groenewegen, Bennett, Ackermann and Démare in the same race every day.

It's the best chance we get all year to see who the world's top sprinter really is

 

[Red Rick]

Lovely memories from the last year, when Roglič has won. Hope Pogačar does good this year. If Froome will finish in top 5 then he should be in a good shape, when it comes to the Tour.

Froome being anywhere near the first 30 riders on the MTF is already a great sign for him. He's not a total stranger to the grupetto when he truly treats a race like training.

 

[Lequack]

Froome being anywhere near the first 30 riders on the MTF is already a great sign for him. He's not a total stranger to the grupetto when he truly treats a race like training.

Yeah I remember that US race he entered after winnign the Tour. Googled it and it was the USA Pro Challenge in 2013, he was hyped up for taking part in the race and then he lost like 5 minutes already on the first stage. Was kind of funny.

 

[Sestriere]

Lovely memories from the last year, when Roglič has won. Hope Pogačar does good this year. If Froome will finish in top 5 then he should be in a good shape, when it comes to the Tour.

If Froome finishes Top5 on the Jebel Hafeet, I'll eat a broom.