UAE Tour 2021, February 21 - February 27

[tobydawq]

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

Very impressive work by the Israeli champion, Omer Goldstein, here, I must say.

 

[tobydawq]

Ackermann, Ewan in fourth group.

 

[Lequack]

Pogacar, MVDP I think in the first group. So is Adam Yates. Also Gaviria and Viviani. Nibali as well.

 

[Lequack]

I love how excited the commentators are, even though I can't understand a thing.
Chasing group is 25 seconds behind. Third group is at 50 seconds.

 

[johnymax]

I love how excited the commentators are, even though I can't understand a thing.

Loving it! Loving the action, too!

 

[Lequack]

Crash. Ag2r and EF rider down.

 

[RedheadDane]

Crash! Both quickly up again.

 

[Lequack]

Gaps extend. Wout Poels spotten in second group.
Second and third group are joining, they're now at 50 seconds behind.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well, Archbold is definitely in the front group, but since it was DQ who forced the split - and he's one of the lead-out men - I guess that was to be expected.

 

[Lequack]

Second big group now a minute behind.
Selected riders in the front group: Yates, Pogacar, Almeida, Viviani, MVDP, Gaviria

PS: Bonus sprint was actually won by Almeida.

 

[RedheadDane]

Was that the result of the sprint? Almeida won that?

And the front group have passed the minute-mark.

 

[tobydawq]

Caruso, Bjerg, Brunel, Liepins, Pogacar, Archbold, Yates, MvdP, Gaviria, Viviani, Goldstein, Almeida, Vanbilsen, Dekker are all definitely in the front group. But there several others.

And it was Almeida who won the sprint and took the secobds.

 

[tobydawq]

Pogacar, MVDP I think in the first group. So is Adam Yates. Also Gaviria and Viviani. Nibali as well.

Not Nibali, I don't think.

 

[johnymax]

Pogačar, Yates and Almeida look very strong already.

 

[Lequack]

Majka in 2nd group with the Ineos people, Kuss, and others.

 

[tobydawq]

Vermeersch, Rubén Fernández (!), Jans, Cattaneo, Masnada, Mørkøv, Richeze, Roux, Powless, Reijnen and Skjelmose too!

But no Bennett!

 

[tobydawq]

Vermeersch, Rubén Fernández (!), Jans, Cattaneo, Masnada, Mørkøv, Richeze, Roux, Powless, Reijnen and Skjelmose too!

But no Bennett!

And Harper.

 

[Lequack]

 

[BlueRoads]

The commentators are so good at pronouncing. English ones should listen closely.

 

[tobydawq]

Nice to see it's possible to do this after two bouts of Covid.

 

[Offline]

LOVE THIS RACE!

 

[johnymax]

1:20 the gap with 90km to go. What's your call, is this attack going to stick or are they being caught?

 

[Lequack]

Second group is much bigger and you would think they would be taking back time. But a lot of teams who have people in the front will refuse to cooperate.

 

[Offline]

This is why UAE need Mikkel Bjerg in the tour! That kid is amazing!

 

[RedheadDane]

So... turns out there's no word for "breakaway" in Arabic.