UAE Tour 2023, February 20-26 (women's race February 9-12)

[SafeBet]

So which teams have burned the most matches before the TTT tomorrow?

Not Bardiani.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

So which teams have burned the most matches before the TTT tomorrow?

Every GC threat in the front group has at least half of their teammates there and it's impossible not to burn matches in the echelons, so I doubt it will have a big impact.

 

[Volderke]

So is there another crosswind section where Remco can be unleashed?

 

[Bertram Wooster]

57 riders in the first group.

 

[search]

Not Bardiani.

will be interesting to see if they even brought time trial bikes

 

[search]

So is there another crosswind section where Remco can be unleashed?

from around 30 to 20k to go. Then around 10k full tailwind, followed by 10k mostly block headwind

 

[Vesica]

Peloton coming back. Front group doing strange things...

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Interesting that they‘re letting the second group take back so much time now; but I guess making Remco and Merlier‘s team work makes sense.

 

[Samamba]

Bit weird that Ineos and Bahrain stopped riding while there's still some good GC riders behind.

 

[SafeBet]

will be interesting to see if they even brought time trial bikes

Yes they have the new De Rosa TT bikes there.

 

[Netserk]

Bit weird that Ineos and Bahrain stopped riding while there's still some good GC riders behind.

Well, if it would only be up to them to keep the group away, they would be suckers with the TTT in mind.

 

[Volderke]

With this kind of waiting game, I expect some teams are going to try and split things again, closer to the finish.

 

[Faserr]

Its just the headwind. It nearly always comes back together.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Its just the headwind. It nearly always comes back together.

60-rider groups don't lose a minute every 5 kilometres solely thanks to headwind...

 

[frisenfruitig]

Its just the headwind. It nearly always comes back together.

Only 2 guys pulling in the front group so yeah, doesn't look like they care about staying ahead.

 

[Volderke]

yes, action!

 

[Volderke]

Only 10K crosswinds to make this work.

cracks all over the chasing group now.

UAE commentator going ballistic. The guy loves echelons as well.

 

[Netserk]

Good composition of the front group, I think they will stay away.

 

[Netserk]

2nd group better sit up and wait for the peloton.

 

[BR2]

Interesting that so many sprinters made it into the first group but hardly anyone for GC.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Even from that small group Yates got dropped, echelons really aren't his cup of tea it appears

 

[Volderke]

Cavendish skipping turns. Ewan skipping turns.
I wonder if the front group will last that way.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Considering how UAE are getting smoked here, I think there a) will be no echelon stage and b) Pogacar will be forced to race this in 2024.

 

[Netserk]

2nd group better sit up and wait for the peloton.

Oh well, too late now. I think the peloton would have been at 40'' now if they had done so immediately once the gap was >20''.

 

[Berniece]

Cavendish skipping turns. Ewan skipping turns.
I wonder if the front group will last that way.

As long as Cees and Jarrad take turns it’s ok