UAE Tour 2021, February 21 - February 27

[Lequack]

The breakaway duo gets away just before the international broadcast.
How convenient.

I think you're onto something.

 

[sir fly]

Not a word about the breakaway... you're so unthankful, guys.

 

[TomLPC]

Rowe goes the wrong way onto the path

Big red alarm bell goes off at UCI hq, DQ incoming

 

[Devil's Elbow]

That was chaotic. Bennett ends up a level above the rest though, and very impressed with Dekker who looked to be out of position.

 

[TomLPC]

Bennett wins,

Wow, Dekker was so far back and came 2nd, was on his own completely.

 

[Netserk]

The mounted cameras make it look like you are in a computer game. Horrible. Velon adding nothing again.

 

[Bonimenier]

That looked easy for Bennett. Another nice performance by Dekker.

 

[sir fly]

Should Ewan have been at the same side with Bennett and Dekker maybe it would've been a closer sprint.
Congrats.

 

[Lequack]

Now with Van Der Poel gone, other sprinters can also win.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The mounted cameras make it look like you are in a computer game. Horrible. Velon adding nothing again.

When have those clowns ever added something?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

All early season form caveats aside, it will be a big confidence boost for any sprinter who gets a win here against this field. You start the season by taking basically every scalp other than Demare.

 

[BlueRoads]

All early season form caveats aside, it will be a big confidence boost for any sprinter who gets a win here against this field. You start the season by taking basically every scalp other than Demare.

And yet with this stellar field it was a really, really dull sprint. Though my view may be heavily influenced by having watched it with the commentary of a certain Austrian Expert.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I suspect Dekker will be the next rider to get his own thread: impressive way to announce his WT arrival.

 

[Bonimenier]

Now with Van Der Poel gone, other sprinters can also win.

Today would have been a day for Philipsen anyway.

 

[yaco]

The right hand side where Bennett rode was definitely the side to be - Breakaway tomorrow ?

 

[tobydawq]

The mounted cameras make it look like you are in a computer game. Horrible. Velon adding nothing again.

Well, we're not.

 

[tobydawq]

The right hand side where Bennett rode was definitely the side to be - Breakaway tomorrow ?

*The left hand-side. But yes, quite annoying that a curve in the road so late decides the matter.

Though, if Bennett hadn't won I probably would have been less annoyed.

 

[Bonimenier]

*The left hand-side. But yes, quite annoying that a curve in the road so late decides the matter.

Though, if Bennett hadn't won I probably would have been less annoyed.

It's not like it was a dangerous turn. Every team knew that there was a bend at the end. No excuses, they knew what side of the road they had to be on.

 

[Netserk]

*The left hand-side. But yes, quite annoying that a curve in the road so late decides the matter.

Though, if Bennett hadn't won I probably would have been less annoyed.

Everyone knew the finale. I'd much rather have soft bends and curves than a completely straight boulevard sprint.

 

[tobydawq]

It's not like it was a dangerous turn. Every team knew that there was a bend at the end. No excuses, they knew what side of the road they had to be on.

I'm not criticising it for being dangerous, I just think it's a little lame that it wasn't straight so it would be more a real sprint than what wr got, especially with the entire world elite present.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

When have those clowns ever added something?

The most annoying thing about them is that they give out potentially interesting stats but don’t give the same stats for each rider so you can’t compare like with like.

Today for instance they reveal that Bennett had a max power of 1595w and a 10 second average of 1365. Is that a lot? Well, if you remember a load of previous sprints, you’ll know that it is indeed a very high number particularly for a lighter sprinter. But for that number to really tell us much, you’d need today’s numbers from at least some other guys. Which they don’t give. There is no real purpose to any of their statistics without meaningful comparators, it’s just novelty stuff.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Ackermann continues his habit of going way too early. Do Bora just not have coaches capable of telling him over and over to stop hitting the front 50m before any other big name sprinter? It’s just incredible how often he makes the same mistake.

edited to add: actually looking at the sprint again, it wasn’t really his mistake this time. His leadout was on the front too early and then died leaving him in the wind.

 

[saunaking]

The mounted cameras make it look like you are in a computer game. Horrible. Velon adding nothing again.

Actually I disagree. For the 1st time ever i think the onboard usage live during the race has actually added some value. I cant remember who it was yesterday but it was cool seeing one of the riders in the breakaway attack the group from his own onboard camera more or less as it was happening.

Not sure how one can say they add nothing when the alternative is the buch shot from the moto for minutes at a time. The short burst from the onboard camera was excellent.

 

[Offline]

UAE Tour most be excited for the names there winning! Don't get bigger!

Stage 1: VAN DER POEL
Stage 2. GANNA
Stage 3: POGACAR
Stage 4: BENNETT

 

[Offline]

Btw why even bring Richeze and Gaviria. Crazy how little UAE have got out of Gaviria.
Won't be surprised if Richeze and Gaviria's time are over at Team UAE after this season.