UAE Tour 2022, February 20 - February 26

[Lequack]

The one and only world tour race in the Middle East. Hot racing in the sand! New feature is the addition of an ITT. (copied from last year )

Notable GC mentions: Tadej Pogacar, Almeida (although now on same team as Pogacar), Adam Yates, Vlasov, Bardet, Haig, Dumoulin
Notable sprinters: Philipsen, Cavendish, Viviani, Demare, Sam Bennet (now on Bora team), Gaviria, Groenewegen

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/uae-tour/2022/overview
https://www.theuaetour.com/

Live video stream available on Eurosport.

Full startlist (not yet final): https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/uae-tour/2022/gc/startlist/startlist

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1»Madinat Zayed›Madinat Zayed(185km)

Stage 2»Hudayriyat Island›Abu Dhabi Breakwater(173km)

Stage 3 (ITT)»Ajman›Ajman(9km)

Stage 4»Fujairah Fort›Jebel Jais(181km)

Stage 5»Ras al Khaimah Corniche›Al Marjan Island (182km)

Stage 6»Expo 2020 Dubai›Expo 2020 Dubai (180km)

Stage 7 (Final)»Al Ain›Jebel Hafeet(148km)

 

[Earns1985]

So this year first the longer, but not so steep Jebel Jais and then the shorter, but steeper Jebel Hafeet. I think it´s better this way..

 

[RedheadDane]

Notable GC mentions: Tadej Pogacar, Almeida (although now on same team as Pogacar), Adam Yates, Vlasov, Bardet, Haig, Dumoulin
Notable sprinters: Philipsen, Cavendish, Viviani, Demare, Sam Bennet (now on Bora team), Gaviria, Groenewegen

Also quite notable is the Real Chris Harper.

 

[Blanco]

It's a World Championship for sprinters, only Ewan is missing.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

The one and only world tour race in the Middle East. Hot racing in the sand! New feature is the addition of an ITT. (copied from last year )

Notable GC mentions: Tadej Pogacar, Almeida (although now on same team as Pogacar), Adam Yates, Vlasov, Bardet, Haig, Dumoulin
Notable sprinters: Philipsen, Cavendish, Viviani, Demare, Sam Bennet (now on Bora team), Gaviria, Groenewegen

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/uae-tour/2022/overview
https://www.theuaetour.com/

Live video stream available on Eurosport.

Full startlist (not yet final): https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/uae-tour/2022/gc/startlist/startlist

Fausto Masnada also

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Looks like they ran out of ideas for the ITT route.

Now who would benefit from such a 2x 5' non-technical all out power course... hmmm.
* taps cheek with finger whilst looking at the ceiling *

PS: @Lequack , you have used LFR stage profiles! Ruh-roh.

 

[SafeBet]

It's a World Championship for sprinters, only Ewan is missing.

That's odd.
UAE was originally in Ewan's schedule but now PCS has him riding Tour du Var (with De Lie) where there aren't many chances of bunch sprints.

 

[tobydawq]

It's a World Championship for sprinters, only Ewan is missing.

And Jakobsen and Merlier. The three fastest at the moment, I'd say.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

That's odd.
UAE was originally in Ewan's schedule but now PCS has him riding Tour du Var (with De Lie) where there aren't many chances of bunch sprints.

He decided to race Kuurne Brussels Kuurne

 

[tobydawq]

That's odd.
UAE was originally in Ewan's schedule but now PCS has him riding Tour du Var (with De Lie) where there aren't many chances of bunch sprints.

Apparently, he had been a little sick and didn't want to go back with a 7-day race. And now he also gets to do Kuurne. But yeah, it still sounds weird given that the French race takes place before this one.

 

[yaco]

Apparently, he had been a little sick and didn't want to go back with a 7-day race. And now he also gets to do Kuurne. But yeah, it still sounds weird given that the French race takes place before this one.

Posted in another thread that there was an outbreak of COVID cases at the end of the Saudi Tour - Ewan was tested for COVID on the 8th of February - He may have tested positive and been asymptomatic or he may have another ilness.

 

[Blanco]

And Jakobsen and Merlier. The three fastest at the moment, I'd say.

I somehow confused Jakobsen for Philipsen, and totally forgot about Merlier. But nevertheless strong sprinting field.

 

[happytramp]

And Jakobsen and Merlier. The three fastest at the moment, I'd say.

Bennett will probably have something to say about that. He was having these guys on toast this time last year..... Remains to be seen if he's back to that level though.

 

[tobydawq]

Bennett will probably have something to say about that. He was having these guys on toast this time last year..... Remains to be seen if he's back to that level though.

I don't know that he was. Jakobsen was pretty easy to beat at that time, the same for Groenewegen. He never faced Merlier. And Ewan beat him a few times, but yes, it was more the other way around. But now he's off QuickStep.

Also, I'm biased against him as I don't like him

 

[Samamba]

Apparently, he had been a little sick and didn't want to go back with a 7-day race. And now he also gets to do Kuurne. But yeah, it still sounds weird given that the French race takes place before this one.

I find it odd too but his reasoning is that he isn't ready for a 7 day stage race.

I don't think that's true tho. The whole LTS Saudi Tour squad got sick apparently. Van Gils too (hence why he's not riding Ruta del Sol), but he only stopped training for 3 days and didn't quarantine so no COVID I guess. I think Ewan and the team are just scared for COVID/other sicknesses (or even getting stuck in UAE) before MSR and rather stay close to home.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Bennett will probably have something to say about that. He was having these guys on toast this time last year..... Remains to be seen if he's back to that level though.

Did he? He only faced Ewan of those mentioned. He beat him twice and lost once. He didn't face Merlier nor Jakobsen in 2021.

 

[RedheadDane]

He didn't face Merlier nor Jakobsen in 2021.

Maybe he faced Jakobsen in a team camp town-sign sprint...

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Leknessund is alive! Should be interesting to see him with Arensman (and Van Wilder, though he jumped ship). Last year his ITT went completely down the drain and his climbing didn't get any better either, while Arensman got some nice results with especially his 3rd place in the Vuelta ITT being somewhat of a shocker, since he (unlike Leknessund and Van Wilder) was never a remarkable ITT'er iirc. Could be a nice race within the race.

 

[Samamba]

Leknessund is alive! Should be interesting to see him with Arensman (and Van Wilder, though he jumped ship). Last year his ITT went completely down the drain and his climbing didn't get any better either, while Arensman got some nice results with especially his 3rd place in the Vuelta ITT being somewhat of a shocker, since he (unlike Leknessund and Van Wilder) was never a remarkable ITT'er iirc. Could be a nice race within the race.

Is Van Wilder doing UAE cause that route actually suits him perfectly?

Bardet is probably leader for DSM.

 

[Sciatic]

That's odd.
UAE was originally in Ewan's schedule but now PCS has him riding Tour du Var (with De Lie) where there aren't many chances of bunch sprints.

Perhaps in view of San Remo prep?

 

[Lequack]

Looks like they ran out of ideas for the ITT route.

Now who would benefit from such a 2x 5' non-technical all out power course... hmmm.
* taps cheek with finger whilst looking at the ceiling *

PS: @Lequack , you have used LFR stage profiles! Ruh-roh.

Are you saying Ganna is going to just go an win it? Bold predition!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Are you saying Ganna is going to just go an win it? Bold predition!

Well, if chances were slim of him not winning a 9k ITT before, then now they basically could just hand him the trophy before getting on the bike.

Is Van Wilder doing UAE cause that route actually suits him perfectly?

Bardet is probably leader for DSM.

Are you asking if Van Wilder is riding UAE tour (yes, he is), or if he's riding it because the course suits him (which i don't know, but imagine it could have something to do with)?

Yes, Bardet is leader but i assume since he' s not the main favorite here, that his team won't be forced to do a lot of work, and that Leknessund and Arensman are free to ride their own race.

 

[Red Rick]

Let's be real. Ewan isn't riding out of protest against the exclusion of Hatta Dam

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Pretty awesome that probably the three best one week stage racers have won the last three editions here. This looks like another Pogacar vs Yates showdown with Vlasov thrown into the mix. Of course it would be a big surprise if Pogacar didn't win.