UAE Tour 2021, February 21 - February 27

[johnymax]

So, will Mørkøv actually get a chance to sprint today?

I don't know. Almeida is there. He won the intermediate sprint after all.

 

[johnymax]

So Pog is gonna have over a minute start plus the ITT to come. May as well give him the trophy now.

No he won't. Yates and Almeida are in the front group too

 

[Lequack]

i think it's the opposite the way the groups are lined up - the wind is coming from the right hand side

You're right, they're just turning right now into headwind again, and then right again when they should have the wind from the left.

 

[Netserk]

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.

Another example of a stage racer who doesn't deliver in GTs.

 

[sir fly]

Shame Van Aert's not riding.
He's better in the sand than MVdP.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

No he won't. Yates and Almeida are in the front group too

Ok Almeida (didn't see him), but can't see Yates doing much against Pog in the ITT.

 

[TomLPC]

I like to believe Froome was too busy fixing his brakes so he missed the split

 

[RedheadDane]

Front group's gap coming down a bit.

 

[johnymax]

Ok Almeida (didn't see him), but can't see Yates doing much against Pog in the ITT.

Well I think the consensus before the race was that it'll be mainly a GT battle between Pogi and Yates, with some outsiders, so it remains the same. And there are probably similar stages going forward as today, where other teams can try and make the split in the wind.
Stage races are usually not won on the first day, how have we not learned that already...

 

[sir fly]

I heard Emirates made their fortune on the hourglass industry.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's out past 1.20 for the front group.

 

[RedheadDane]

Yeah, I wouldn't be too surprised if the front group will have over two minutes to the second group in the end*.
The 2 minute mark was just passed, 36ish Ks to go.

*Unless, of course, the front group splits.

 

[Lequack]

I guess the chasers gave up, almost 3 minutes now.

 

[RedheadDane]

Uhm... Ben... I don't think you're gonna make up over three minutes in 22ish Ks.

 

[fuiers]

Gaviria looks like a 80´s rock star with that mullet

 

[Lequack]

Going to be some tired legs in the ITT tmorrow. But advantage to Ganna who can relax in the back group.

Gaviria looks like a 80´s rock star with that mullet

https://twitter.com/x/status/1362673480404246528

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1362673480404246528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1362673480404246528%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.cyclingnews.com%2Fthreads%2Fuae-tour-2021-february-21-february-27.36704%2Fpage-3

 

[gerundium]

David Dekker going to win this stage and start his JV career with a bang.

 

[tobydawq]

Uhm... Ben... I don't think you're gonna make up over three minutes in 22ish Ks.

Well, it could get him a GC top 10.

 

[TomLPC]

Warbasse soft pedalling, he more than anyone knows that the group will be big enough even if they are OTL

 

[johnymax]

Going to be some tired legs in the ITT tmorrow. But advantage to Ganna who can relax in the back group.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1362673480404246528

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1362673480404246528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1362673480404246528%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.cyclingnews.com%2Fthreads%2Fuae-tour-2021-february-21-february-27.36704%2Fpage-3

It's a big disappointment Ganna is not in the front group.

 

[fuiers]

Attacks!

 

[TomLPC]

Alpecin team really is top notch, like a big man classics version of an exciting regional Basque climbing team.

 

[Lequack]

Quickstep trying every trick in the book.

 

[fuiers]

Interesting finale. Cattaneo with a very good lead now.

 

[TomLPC]

It's only about 8 seconds, think he will get caught