UAE Tour 2021, February 21 - February 27

[Samu Cuenca]

God, I simply didn't recognize Ganna, left him out...

It's totally fine, that you weren't able to recognise Nibali. It's not like he's been around for 15 years.

 

[tobydawq]

And yes, it was the talk of Nibali's probable fading hairline that made me think of Valverde.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

And yes, it was the talk of Nibali's probable fading hairline that made me think of Valverde.

With both Froomey and Valverde there, it would have been too much free advertisement for Alpecin.
That's also why van der Poel had to wear a cap.

 

[Koronin]

Also, why the hell is Valverde not in that picture?? He has even won the race before.

No idea, although another question could be was that a decision by the organizers or by the team.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

The 2020 UAE Tour was so memorable that I never would have remembered that Adam Yates won the race if he wasn't holding that steering wheel. My first guess would have been Pogacar. My second would have been Not Valverde cuz I remember he did poorly. My third guess would have been I don't remember anyone else who rode it except Gaviria cuz he got COVID.

 

[Koronin]

The 2020 UAE Tour was so memorable that I never would have remembered that Adam Yates won the race if he wasn't holding that steering wheel. My first guess would have been Pogacar. My second would have been Not Valverde cuz I remember he did poorly. My third guess would have been I don't remember anyone else who rode it except Gaviria cuz he got COVID.

It may be even worse that the only other riders I remember being there are Erviti (because it's rare that Valverde races without Erviti also racing) and one of the two track riders on Movistar's roster was there because he was able to leave the hotel before many of the teams to get a flight to the track cycling championships where ever it was those were held last year.

I'm laughing at your comment because it's both funny and true.

 

[RedheadDane]

The race last year was definitely more memorable for what happened afterwards, than for what happened during.

Haas' and A. Viviani's excercise video.
Sinkeldam somehow getting a Playstation smuggled in.
Demare's... errr... Freedom Dance once quarantine ended.

 

[tobydawq]

The 2020 UAE Tour was so memorable that I never would have remembered that Adam Yates won the race if he wasn't holding that steering wheel. My first guess would have been Pogacar. My second would have been Not Valverde cuz I remember he did poorly. My third guess would have been I don't remember anyone else who rode it except Gaviria cuz he got COVID.

Well, I think Adam Yates' insane performance on the first time up Jebel Hafeet was quite memorable indeed.

He really had me thinking that he probably did have the level to contend for a Grand Tour after all. He just destroyed Pogacar et al.

 

[tobydawq]

The race last year was definitely more memorable for what happened afterwards, than for what happened during.

Haas' and A. Viviani's excercise video.
Sinkeldam somehow getting a Playstation smuggled in.
Demare's... errr... Freedom Dance once quarantine ended.

Armirail's getaway to France without any of his luggage.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

200 meters!!! into the race and Ineos splits the peloton into pieces.

 

[Finn84]

Doha WC-esque start it seems?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1363408283491569665

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1363408283491569665

 

[RedheadDane]

See, this is why I think all races should just be shown in full!

Any idea if any notable people are behind?

 

[Faserr]

There is a stream. I don't know if I am allowed to post it here.
Nibali, Higuita and Kuss are behind.

Kuss ist not in the third echelon.

 

[Faserr]

It is all together now, but a ten rider group with Kuss is still over a minute behind.

 

[RedheadDane]

So, all together but not quite all?

 

[Lequack]

First stage and already wind action? Such excitement
Also Tiz cycling is showing the Arabian stream and also here is one link from Youtube. Live coverage on Eurosport starts @ 11:45 CET

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9W6cG1F6PU

 

[tobydawq]

It is all together now, but a ten rider group with Kuss is still over a minute behind.

LS rejoices and UAE Tour is her new favourite race.

 

[Lequack]

I doubt the front group will want to push on just to get rid of Kuss, especially the sprinter teams have no incentive. So it should come back together.

 

[Lequack]

Peloton has slowed down now.

 

[Lequack]

Wind is coming from the north so they're mostly heading into a headwind now, no eschelons expected. But there is possibility for crosswinds in the last third of the race when they break left and then right.

 

[Lequack]

Daniel Martinez with a flat. Luckily Ineos is still on rim brakes so it was an easy wheel exchange.
Bonus sprint is coming up soon.

 

[Lequack]

They're only going 25kmh because of the strong headwind.

 

[Lequack]

Sam Bennet wins the bonsu sprint. Quickstep are trying to force a split in the peloton.

 

[RedheadDane]

Now, that... could have been filmed better, but I still think Bennett took it.
I also think the guy the commentators are referring to as 'Nizzolo' is actually 'Goldstein'; jersey didn't quite look like the European.

And we've got action!

 

[Lequack]

And we have echelons, a lot of people behind. Quicktep is driving it at the front.
Caleb Ewan in group 3.