UAE Tour 2025, February 17-23

[Netserk]

Merlier paying tribute to Remco after the line.

Half tribute, Merlier only had one hand in the air while having to brake in a turn.

 

[armchairclimber]

Seixas looked very sore. That's his GC bid up in smoke. Shame. He had a good chance of a top 10.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Damnit I was trying to lay on the sarcasm so thickly nobody woud miss it.

I think one can acknowledge and agree with your sarcasm while also agreeing with Netserk's non-sarcastic point - I did both, do I get a cookie?

 

[repre]

Don't watch cycling. If you prefer conservative riders and those who only race "by the book", I must say you don't like cycling.

You're a fan and i get it, it's cool to watch him if you are a fan. And Pogi has a lot of fans so it won't be popular here, but cycling is a better place without rider as great as Pogi. He is ruining cycling and it's become difficult to watch.

 

[Peyroteo94]

You're a fan and i get it, it's cool to watch him if you are a fan. And Pogi has a lot of fans so it won't be popular here, but cycling is a better place without rider as great as Pogi. He is ruining cycling and it's become difficult to watch.

I'm a cycling fan before any fanboyism. I understand when people say he makes races more boring because he is so dominant. But this argument cannot be used in pancake flat stages where nothing happens. If he didn't attack today what would we get to watch? A full peloton racing at 40 kph and a sprint at the end.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm a cycling fan before any fanboyism. I understand when people say he makes races more boring because he is so dominant. But this argument cannot be used in pancake flat stages where nothing happens. If he didn't attack today what would we get to watch? A full peloton racing at 40 kph and a sprint at the end.

That's the same thing as we saw today basically.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Yeah, sucks that Pogačar didn‘t use his air bender powers to create wind today. Of course this wasn‘t super exciting but some people sound like they‘d rather have no break at all than Pogačar in the break.

I assume that many/most people on here, no matter our various different opinions towards this race, Pogačar, UAE, and the current state of the cycling world in general, will be able to agree that it made the stage, if not exciting then at a minimum more interesting than it would otherwise have been. However just like the UAE ambush in the women's race two weeks ago, the composition of the break wasn't as great in regards to the overall GC as it could have been, although this one at least had more than one capable climber in it. It didn't stick though and we also saw crashes anyway despite the more aggressive racing.

 

[KZD]

Great sprint from Merlier, hope that the crashed riders are ok.

 

[Tim Cahill]

That's the same thing as we saw today basically.

Yesterday's stage was brilliant though, we were denied that.

 

[Netserk]

I assume that many/most people on here, no matter our various different opinions towards this race, Pogačar, UAE, and the current state of the cycling world in general, will be able to agree that it made the stage, if not exciting then at a minimum more interesting than it would otherwise have been. However just like the UAE ambush in the women's race two weeks ago, the composition of the break wasn't as great in regards to the overall GC as it could have been, although this one at least had more than one capable climber in it. It didn't stick though and we also saw crashes anyway despite the more aggressive racing.

Modulo his dominance, Pogi is a great and likeable rider. The polarisation is driven by the most overeager fans of his. Sycophants usually come before haters.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I didn't watch until the last 10 km or so. I see nothing to suggest that I missed any more by doing this than in any other inevitable sprint stage.

 

[pastronef]

You're a fan and i get it, it's cool to watch him if you are a fan. And Pogi has a lot of fans so it won't be popular here, but cycling is a better place without rider as great as Pogi. He is ruining cycling and it's become difficult to watch.

"ruining cycling". I've read this many times. for example, for me VDP is "ruining cyclocross". but it's a subjective take. he's not ruining anything, it's just my utter dislike. but you have to think every fan has its own way of watching and enjoying. riders are not ruining cycling.

 

[Rob5091]

Merleir won (and slow crashed) so chapeau! Crash party today for many, such a shame.

 

[repre]

I'm a cycling fan before any fanboyism. I understand when people say he makes races more boring because he is so dominant. But this argument cannot be used in pancake flat stages where nothing happens. If he didn't attack today what would we get to watch? A full peloton racing at 40 kph and a sprint at the end.

I'm ok with your opinion and it's not in my intentions to convince you otherwise. But i respectfully disagree

 

[repre]

"ruining cycling". I've read this many times. for example, for me VDP is "ruining cyclocross". but it's a subjective take. he's not ruining anything, it's just my utter dislike. but you have to think every fan has its own way of watching and enjoying. riders are not ruining cycling.

every take is "subjective take", yours is too. And i'm ok with your take

 

[Unchained]

Merleir won (and slow crashed) so chapeau! Crash party today for many, such a shame.

UCI changing the rules again, no celebration after original celebration and Merleir likely to get a yellow card for crashing himself.. And like all of us that have done something stupid, he popped right up and pretended nothing happened!!

 

[RedheadDane]

UCI changing the rules again, no celebration after original celebration and Merleir likely to get a yellow card for crashing himself.. And like all of us that have done something stupid, he popped right up and pretended nothing happened!!

Is Merlier likely to be punished?

 

[Unchained]

Is Merlier likely to be punished?

No!!!
He had a 1k per hour self crash after the finish, he didn't even fall hard enough to hurt his clothing!!
Just a weird finish with crashing before and after the sprint..Merlier is a monster!! He is riding great and has incredible speed ..from head on camera it looks like he barely gets it but from the overhead shot he wins pretty comfortably. Guy has the goods!!

 

[RedheadDane]

No!!!

Good, only Merleir being punished,then.

 

[Sciatic]

just out of bed and it seems like missed a tempest in a tea cup

I much prefer “tempest in a teapot” with same consonant at end of both words giving it more oomph. But your mileage (with this colloquialism) may vary 😉

 

[Lequack]

Pics

 

[Lequack]

Also luckily Gaviria didn't suffer any fractures.

The Movistar Team reports on the health of Fernando Gaviria who suffered a fall in the UAE Tour"In the case of @FndoGaviria fractures are ruled out despite the spectacular fall he suffered. We will continue to monitor his progress."

 

[RedheadDane]

I would not want to be at the rechieving end of that glare!

 

[Lequack]

Best moment

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892884157023314405

View: https://x.com/LeGruppetto/status/1892884157023314405

 

[hayneplane]

You're a fan and i get it, it's cool to watch him if you are a fan. And Pogi has a lot of fans so it won't be popular here, but cycling is a better place without rider as great as Pogi. He is ruining cycling and it's become difficult to watch.

I don’t see it. Is Golf better for Tiger Woods being well past his prime? would the NBA have been as good in that era without Michael Jordan? Has women’s tennis benefited from the retirement of Serena Williams?

Greatness should be cherished and celebrated imo and seeing a sport executed to its highest level means far more to me than seeing close competition.