UAE Tour 2024, February 19-25

[Netserk]

They don't usually go hard with crosswinds in a stage race unless its in the last 30 to 50 kms. Its very rare for teams to break it up early in a stage and keep the momentum going.

That happens often in Paris-Nice.

 

[Salvarani]

That happens often in Paris-Nice.

Usually a better field and more prestigous race.

No team really has the strength here to pull it off or any incentive to go for it.

 

[repre]

That happens often in Paris-Nice.

It's the race that matters. Who wants to bury himself in february for a chance for top10 in uae tour? Maybe later in the stage they'll feel like it worthy

 

[search]

It's the race that matters. Who wants to bury himself in february for a chance for top10 in uae tour? Maybe later in the stage they'll feel like it worthy

it happened in exactly this race in two of the past three editions as well.

 

[joseph89]

Echelons or nah?

 

[Lequack]

Echelons or nah?

The peloton are being uninspired, waiting for the sprint finish.

 

[yaco]

Not true.

It is true - If the race splits in crosswinds with say 100kms to go and the second peleton continues to chase, then the backs off. Even in the 2023 edition of the UAE Tour which split up in one of the stages and influenced the GC result, the race split early in the stage, came back together and the final split occurred with around 30kms to go. Of course in one day races different rules apply.

 

[tobydawq]

It is true - If the race splits in crosswinds with say 100kms to go and the second peleton continues to chase, then the backs off. Even in the 2023 edition of the UAE Tour which split up in one of the stages and influenced the GC result, the race split early in the stage, came back together and the final split occurred with around 30kms to go. Of course in one day races different rules apply.

There are lots of examples that you make the splits when there's crosswinds, even if it's early in the stage. UAE Tour 23 and 21, a lot of times in Paris-Nice, Vuelta 19, Tour of Qatar when that was a thing.

Of course regroupings are possible but that was hardly what you wrote initially...

 

[yaco]

That happens often in Paris-Nice.

Paris Nice is one of the exceptions to the rule, however, it is dependant on how hard the second peleton chases. If the second peleton chases for 50 to 60kms and the lead peleton is smallish and the gap still remains less than a minute, then the lead peleton may back off.

 

[yaco]

The peloton are being uninspired, waiting for the sprint finish.

Didn't stop them in 2023 when Merlier pipped Ewan in a very reduced peleton.

 

[Berflamand]

It is true - If the race splits in crosswinds with say 100kms to go and the second peleton continues to chase, then the backs off. Even in the 2023 edition of the UAE Tour which split up in one of the stages and influenced the GC result, the race split early in the stage, came back together and the final split occurred with around 30kms to go. Of course in one day races different rules apply.

That's not what you said though. You said:

They don't usually go hard with crosswinds in a stage race unless its in the last 30 to 50 kms. Its very rare for teams to break it up early in a stage and keep the momentum going.

It really isn't rare for the peloton to go hard from the start if the wind is strong and the wind direction is perfect.

They then sometimes lose the momentum when wind directions change, not because the gaps stay small.

Those Tour of Qatar's back in the day were brilliant with Quick-Step/Boonen drilling it from start to finish.

 

[repre]

it happened in exactly this race in two of the past three editions as well.

I know, but it was in the latter part of the stage

 

[repre]

Also in this race guys litterally matched peloton speed running by feet. Go figure

 

[yaco]

That's not what you said though. You said:

It really isn't rare for the peloton to go hard from the start if the wind is strong and the wind direction is perfect.

They then sometimes lose the momentum when wind directions change, not because the gaps stay small.

Those Tour of Qatar's back in the day were brilliant with Quick-Step/Boonen drilling it from start to finish.

Supposedly the Tour of Qatar is returning to the calendar in 2025 - I am unsure where it will fit into the calendar.

 

[Lequack]

Now that they're on the circuit something might happen. Also live coverage on Eurosport has started.

 

[Lequack]

It seems the sprint teams are blocking the narrow road.

 

[DNP-Old]

Woah, would you look at that. Moses made his way to the United Arab Emirates and instead of parting of the Red Sea he split the sand dunes. Incredible.

 

[Lequack]

How can you make a 30+kmh wind stage uninteresting.

 

[tobydawq]

Rickaert too strong on the hills.

 

[Lequack]

They are having a laugh.

 

[DNP-Old]

I can see why riders complain about losing watts here, my god.

 

[Lequack]

I really don't know how this race can be WT. Probably just money.
I actually think the WT status is killing the race, because all the big teams come with their sprinters and kill the racing. If it was a lower tier race with lesser teams, I am sure there would be more racing.

 

[tobydawq]

Buchmann throwing down the gauntlet on the mountain.

 

[DNP-Old]

Is it happening?

 

[Lequack]

The scenery is stunning, otherworldly.