UAE Tour 2024, February 19-25

[Lequack]

The one and only world tour race in the Middle East. Hot racing in the sand! With a lot of sprinting, two MTT, and an ITT.
Last year it was Evenepoel who held on to snatch the overall over Adam Yates. Yates seems to be in good form, just fresh from winning Tour of Oman.

Notable GC mentions: Adam Yates, McNulty, Van Wilder, Rubio, O'Connor, Calter, Carr
Notable sprinters: Kooij, Groenewegen, Merlier, Jakobsen, Cavendish, Viviani

UAE Tour 2024

www.procyclingstats.com

THE UAE TOUR | The one and only UCI World Tour Race in the Middle East

www.theuaetour.com

Live video stream available on Eurosport/GCN alternative.

Full startlist (not yet final):

Startlist for UAE Tour 2024

Competing teams and riders for UAE Tour 2024. Top competitors are Mark Cavendish, Elia Viviani and Adam Yates.

www.procyclingstats.com

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1»Al Dhafra Walk Madinat Zayed›Liwa Palace(143km)

Stage 2 (ITT)»Al Hudayriyat Island›Al Hudayriyat Island(12.1km)

Stage 3»Al Marjan Island›Jebel Jais(176km)

Stage 4»Dubai Police Officer's Club›Dubai Harbour(173km)

Stage 5»Al Aqah›Umm Al Quwain(182km)

Stage 6»Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum›Abu Dhabi Breakwater(138km)

Stage 7 (Final)»Al Ain›Jebel Hafeet(161km)

 

[Lequack]

I know what you're going to say. Why is this race WT and not Tour of Oman? And you're right, why indeed.

 

[Ricco']

At least there is no agriculture in the desert.

 

[Lequack]

At least there is no agriculture in the desert.

If there is one race that can be safely shortened, it's this one.

 

[Anderis]

Notable GC mentions: (...) Calter, Carr

Are you sure it's Carr and not Varr?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Welcome to the future, boys and girls.

 

[Lequack]

Why doesn't the best Belgian, Remco, not want to defend his title?

 

[Samamba]

First stage will be absolute carnage if the weather doesn't change.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I know what you're going to say. Why is this race WT and not Tour of Oman? And you're right, why indeed.

In the early 2010's, the Tour of Oman was a cracking race.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Why doesn't the best Belgian, Remco, not want to defend his title?

He sent his stunt double.

It has been said by riders and trainers that riding the UAE Tour actually worsens your form instead of improving it. Last year De Gendt said that was the reason for his strange long range attack, because riding in the peloton was too easy. People probably thought he was kidding, but he wasn't, or at least it's been echoed that this is indeed the case. Evenepoel also mentioned it before Algarve, that that is the reason why they chose Algarve.

It's also the reason why he wants Van Wilder to go in his place, because Van Wilder is so good, and Evenepoel hopes he will come back from UAE Tour, worse than him. So we will see, if Van Wilder doesn't win here, then the theory is proven to be effective and UAE Tour actually does make you worse!

The previous paragraph may or may not have been entirely serious.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's also the reason why he wants Van Wilder to go in his place, because Van Wilder is so good, and Evenepoel hopes he will come back from UAE Tour, worse than him. So we will see, if Van Wilder doesn't win here, then the theory is proven to be effective and UAE Tour actually does make you worse!

Was he being serious, or was it said in a more joking manner?

 

[SHAD0W93]

Cav to win stage 6.

 

[tobydawq]

Was he being serious, or was it said in a more joking manner?

I think this is explained in the next paragraph of the post...

 

[RedheadDane]

I think this is explained in the next paragraph of the post...

Somehow I missed that... it was early when I wrote it. I'd barely had any coffee...

 

[Lequack]

Alpecin is bringing their new denim kit

https://twitter.com/x/status/1758044444136259722

View: https://twitter.com/AlpecinDCK/status/1758044444136259722?s=20

 

[Berniece]

Alpecin is bringing their new denim kit

https://twitter.com/x/status/1758044444136259722

View: https://twitter.com/AlpecinDCK/status/1758044444136259722?s=20

Is this just for now or the whole season? I'm not a big fan of it

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Was he being serious, or was it said in a more joking manner?

I think this is explained in the next paragraph of the post...

So, Evenepoel did say that about Algarve (them riding because it is a race where you improve your form instead of the opposite... he didn't mention UAE doing the opposite i think, but it was clearly implied Actually he did flat out say it "In de Emiraten moet je al bijna in topvorm aan de start staan, want je hebt er een soort van vormverlies"). The part about him wanting Van Wilder to go there was just (clearly) a (bad) joke by me. Sorry to disappoint.

 

[RedheadDane]

The part about him wanting Van Wilder to go there was just (clearly) a (bad) joke by me. Sorry to disappoint.

I could imagine if being an inside joke between them:
"Ilan, you're getting too good. Off to the desert with you!"

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I could imagine if being an inside joke between them:
"Ilan, you're getting too good. Off to the desert with you!"

Yes, that was what i was going for, for Evenepoel to feel threatened and intending to sabotage Van Wilder... And who knows, maybe he did actually say it, but not that i'm aware of.

 

[Berniece]

I am looking forward to see what Van Wilder can do. If his form is already a bit better because I wasn’t that impress with him last month.

If he’s able to ride podium that would be great, top 5 is good and top 10 to be expected.

 

[yaco]

A.Yates could be vulnerable if riders like Plapp and Vine ride a good ITT - They can easily take 25 or 30 second in the ITT.

 

[Lequack]

Apparently a lot of wind on stage 1

 

[RedheadDane]

Apparently a lot of wind on stage 1

Weeeee...

Probably less "Weeee" for the people caught behind...

 

[Potomac]

That will make for an exciting stage