UAE Tour 2024, February 19-25

[Netserk]

Actually amazed by how many GC riders still try to finish somewhat up front in stages like this. Since the 3s gap rule the chances there is actually a gap being counted are incredibly small, it's way better to just cruise in the 2nd part of the peloton the last 3km than around top 20-top30 where crashes often occur.

Completely different in technical finals where gaps may actually occur ofcourse.

Indeed. Moulins in the Tour last year is the only example I know of where the rule was in effect, but the gap still large enough to count.

 

[Samamba]

Startorder | ProCyclingStats

www.procyclingstats.com

Why does the starting order look completely random? Isn't it based on GC?

 

[Landeirovic]

the early starters will have an advantage tomorrow. tailwind. headwind at the end of the time trial. Strange that Pjetersen and Cavagna start so late

 

[Samamba]

the early starters will have an advantage tomorrow. tailwind. headwind at the end of the time trial. Strange that Pjetersen and Cavagna start so late

Doesn't the parcours start and finish at the same spot so everyone will have parts with head and tailwing?

But if the starting order is correct, it's pretty obvious that teams think starting early is better as most GC riders seem to start early.

 

[Boehmand]

There is a total of 1 meter altitude on the 12.1 K route tomorrow

 

[roundabout]

Startorder | ProCyclingStats

www.procyclingstats.com

Why does the starting order look completely random? Isn't it based on GC?

Article 17, page 158 of the roadbook

https://www.flipsnack.com/8DF9A5AA9F7/uae_tour_men_2024_racebook/full-view.html?p=158

 

[Samamba]

Article 17, page 158 of the roadbook

https://www.flipsnack.com/8DF9A5AA9F7/uae_tour_men_2024_racebook/full-view.html?p=158

Good find, never seen that before. Guess it's not a bad thing if there's actually changing wind directions.

 

[Lequack]

Sp apparently Tim Merlier is not riding the Tour this year? Is it all in for Remco or do they have another sprinter?

 

[tobydawq]

Sp apparently Tim Merlier is not riding the Tour this year? Is it all in for Remco or do they have another sprinter?

All in for Remco.

 

[Lequack]

Also, did Cavendish sprint even today?

 

[RedheadDane]

With a little help from a friend:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1759575798367801756

 

[SHAD0W93]

Also, did Cavendish sprint even today?

It looked like he was behind the crash, but biggest thing is not crashing for him in my opinion.

 

[joseph89]

Anything less than a win tomorrow for Foss and I'm declaring him washed.

Tobias Foss will use a monster 68-tooth chainring for UAE Tour time trial

Larger chainrings are becoming popular for time trialling but the Norwegian has taken this to the next level with a barely believable 68t chainring

www.globalcyclingnetwork.com

Foss wins UAE Stage 2, see you all for stage 3 🤣

 

[search]

Foss already was working for Viviani today, so I would have assumed he's completely out of shape.

But who knows...

 

[DNP-Old]

Just for shits and giggles I hope Fuss gets caught in a strong headwind.

 

[jmdirt]

Also, did Cavendish sprint even today?

stuck behind the mess.

 

[yaco]

Foss too I think. I if he's the Ineos guy tumbling through the air on the left side that could be bad (But I think it's actually Viviani). Poole had a somewhat soft landing he is ok apparently, Dunbar came in 5minutes down so was maybe a bit worse.

Tejada seemed worse off.

Dunbar didn't actually crash but was hit from behind - He has trouble staying on his bike.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Foss already was working for Viviani today, so I would have assumed he's completely out of shape.

But who knows...

He's trying to show the team he can do it all, so they'll give him the salary they originally promised him.

 

[KZD]

Merlier with an impressive sprint, Quick-Step looking really good in this start of the season.

I will go with Bjerg for the TT tomorrow.

 

[Samamba]

Dunbar didn't actually crash but was hit from behind - He has trouble staying on his bike.

A crash because someone hit him from behind is still a crash? He touched the ground. He hit his knee and he was worried about his bad wrist.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Foss already was working for Viviani today, so I would have assumed he's completely out of shape.

But who knows...

Foss was at altitude already in January. But it was the same teide camp that propelled Geraint Thomas to 65th overall in Algarve. So I guess it means nothing.

 

[Boehmand]

Merlier with an impressive sprint, Quick-Step looking really good in this start of the season.

I will go with Bjerg for the TT tomorrow.

Yeah, it's a weak TT field, so he might take it like he did at Dauphine.

McNulty, Price-Pejtersen, Cavagna, Foss and possibly Vine are the other contenders.

I do think the route favours Foss though, but the question is if he has all his new equipment dialed in yet - the other one the route suits well is Price-Pejtersen.

 

[RedheadDane]

A Price-Pejtersen win tomorrow would obviously be great for my CQ team.

 

[Berniece]

I do. The peloton gets stretched out so fewer riders go shoulder to shoulder, and if there are crashes, they likely happen in the bends where the speed is quite a bit slower than on the straights.

Actual riders disagree with you. Not sure what the stance of SafeR is in this. Does this organisation even still exist or was it just for show?

 

[tobydawq]

Actual riders disagree with you. Not sure what the stance of SafeR is in this. Does this organisation even still exist or was it just for show?

Do you have sources on this? Because there are definitely also riders who agree with me.