UAE Tour 2024, February 19-25

[Cookster15]

The rules must have changed as that fairing between the bottom of the downtube and the seattube would not have been allowed a couple years back.

Cycling is becoming a bit like Formula 1. Lots of rules being bent and/or exploited. That costs money.

 

[proffate]

Cycling is becoming a bit like Formula 1. Lots of rules being bent and/or exploited. That costs money.

I'm pretty sure the UCI incrementally relaxes the rules so that manufacturers can release slightly modified "new" products each year.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Great ride by McKnulty and UAE taking the top three positions. Does this mean UAE have a better TT bike this year? Those wheels look wild? But not sure you could risk using that front wheel with possible strong side winds?

UAE was supposed to have a better TT setup last year and then stage 16 of the Tour happened...

 

[postmanhat]

First race of the season, but Max Poole probably shouldn't be discounted yet with 14th in the TT?

 

[Lequack]

Tomorrow's climb is the first time the world took notice of Chris Harper

https://twitter.com/x/status/1760069014812836207

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1760069014812836207

 

[Froome]

Tomorrow's climb is the first time the world took notice of Chris Harper

https://twitter.com/x/status/1760069014812836207

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1760069014812836207

Chris harper won 2 TDF.

 

[Cookster15]

UAE was supposed to have a better TT setup last year and then stage 16 of the Tour happened...

True. But was Pog riding those wheels last year? But I think avoiding pre tour crashes or illness will benefit Pog this year more than equipment upgrades.

 

[tobydawq]

Tomorrow's climb is the first time the world took notice of Chris Harper

https://twitter.com/x/status/1760069014812836207

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1760069014812836207

Same finish order as top 3 on GC in the Tour last year.

 

[joseph89]

But was Pog riding those wheels last year?

Yes, same set-up.

 

[Salvarani]

Same finish order as top 3 on GC in the Tour last year.

In hindsight... a lot of the hints that Vingegaard would soon ascend was there.

 

[DNP-Old]

My hate for Jebel Jais is unfathomable.

 

[Cookster15]

Tomorrow's climb is the first time the world took notice of Chris Harper

https://twitter.com/x/status/1760069014812836207

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1760069014812836207

So 2021, the same year Vingegaard unexpectedly finished 2nd to Pog. I must admit I didn’t realise that.

Jebel Jais looks like a very smooth road surface. Looks exposed like the top of Ventoux though. Will be interesting.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1760218091491905952

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1760218091491905952?s=20

 

[DNP-Old]

Echelons?

 

[Landeirovic]

Yess

 

[sam6]

Anyone good missed the split?

 

[Berniece]

Echelons?

Yes, but not sure who's in that first group

 

[Landeirovic]

Yes, but not sure who's in that first group

all Uae only Ivo dropped

 

[SafeBet]

Anyone good missed the split?

Simon Carr apparently.

 

[Offline]

all Uae only Ivo dropped

Bjerg missed too

 

[Berniece]

Simon Carr apparently.

PCS has the following in the 2nd group

• VANSEVENANT Mauri (Soudal - Quick Step)
• BJERG Mikkel (UAE Team Emirates)
• RODRÍGUEZ Óscar (INEOS Grenadiers)

 

[Squire]

Faure Prost is even behind the chasing group. A lot of DSM in the chasing group. Think Poole has missed out.

Edit: Nevermind, the DSM gang is apparently working in the front group.

 

[Offline]

Faure Prost is even behind the chasing group. A lot of DSM in the chasing group. Think Poole has missed out.

DSM pulling the front group

 

[Offline]

all Uae only Ivo dropped

? can only see 4 UAE in front. Vine, McNutly, Yates and Molano.

 

[sam6]

It might be an interesting climb of they actually went all the way to the top, but nah

My view is that they should do it twice and make use of the zip line. This would make it twice as much climbing and also have an interesting situation where the riders sprint to be the first ones onto the zip wire, adding to the drama and introducing an interesting novelty element to the race and perhaps get new fans (what having a race in new parts of the world is ALL about). Not only that, but with all the dangers of descending doing it by zip wire could keep the excitement factor but also eliminate the dangers. It would also create forced time gaps which would make the race more exciting. Do you go super hard first time up to gain an advantage by being first on the zip line, only to crack the second time around? Also the organizers would love it as it would bring loads of attention to their tourist attraction