UAE Tour 2026, February 16-22

[KoopaCycling]

Remco is favorite

No, i see them as equal for this race. Del Toro will have red-lined this. Him going for the victory and bonies further proves that to me Even if doing so, is a complete natural thing for him to do.

 

[Tim Cahill]

So Tiberi too, because he achieved a better result. And obviously he isn't; the other day he lost a sprint against Almeida and Pellizzari, and another against Scaroni.

Today's conditions were very different from last year's, due to the crash and the wind.

Tiberi's result is the clearest indicator.

As Red Rick said, Pogacars fresh 1 minute is probably the 50th best in the peloton, Del Toros actually decent, as evidenced, beating the mighty Cees Bol.

 

[Izzyeviel]

No love for Welsford?

He would've been a poor signing for modern adventures cycling, let alone Ineos.

 

[Cycling111]

@KoopaCycling Remco is the favorite. Last year he was far superior to Del Toro in Lombardy. If he's weaker on a one-climb stage this year, it will be a step backward for him.

 

[Rou]

See you later in the Jaen thread where Tommy Pidcock will try to end UAE's tyranny.

 

[Salvarani]

No, i see them as equal for this race. Del Toro will have red-lined this. Him going for the victory and bonies further proves that to me.

Thats surprising to hear. Remco going in to the race is ranked higher for many reasons. Unless you believe Del Toro is better?

So Remco should definitely be the favorite in the race. right now. Anything else would be strange to say unless sandbagging. Del Toro going for bonies and the stage doesnt change that at all for me. It would be a big win for Del Toro if he beats Remco overall.

 

[Squire]

Given the circumstances, it's very disappointing that Remco didn't try.Tiberi is very slow and still managed to finish third.

From where do you have the impression that Tiberi is slow? He has done plenty of great sprints for being a GC guy.

 

[KoopaCycling]

@KoopaCycling Remco is the favorite. Last year he was far superior to Del Toro in Lombardy. If he's weaker on a one-climb stage this year, it will be a step backward for him.

I rate Del Toro quite high, and giving that this is UAE backyard and Del Toro fist race back, i think he will have prepped for this race. Far more than Remco did. Remco real start to the season remains Catalunya for me. So they're equal favourites for me.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Climbers field is stronger than ever.

2019 and 2022 were both stronger, IMO.

 

[Cycling111]

From where do you have the impression that Tiberi is slow? He has done plenty of great sprints for being a GC guy.

The other day he lost against Almeida and Pellizari.

 

[houtdffan]

Saving legs for tomorrow. They went for FFB today, that was the plan. He’ll destroy opposition tomorrow.

that strategy was far dumber than anything Quikstep ever did

And FFB still finished behind Remco. Remco should absolutely been on the front. He gave away a free 10 seconds

 

[Samamba]

2019 and 2022 were both stronger, IMO.

I can live with 2022, but I think this isn'f ar off and its definitely stronger than the past few years. Its just that the sprintersfield is bad cause of injuries and Philipsens decision to not ride Algarve.

 

[Squire]

The other day he lost against Almeida and Pellizari.

After single-handedly riding on the front for pretty much the last couple of kilometres. He's not a punchy climber, but in flat-ish sprints he's always been really quick.

 

[Berniece]

A 600-meter sprint won't tire you out for tomorrow.

Plan was FFB, they followed the plan.

 

[Cycling111]

Plan was FFB, they followed the plan.

In a uphill sprint, both can do it.

More than the seconds (which he'll make up if he wins the stage), it's a missed opportunity for another victory, especially after the crash.

 

[Berniece]

It will be maybe about 10s, but it's worth it. Win is a win

And there isn't a lot of wind expected.

At the start there's basically no wind (0-5km/h), but it will pick up by the time the last rider starts (20km/h).

 

[Berniece]

In a uphill sprint, both can do it.

More than the seconds (which he'll make up if he wins the stage), it's a missed opportunity for another victory, especially after the crash.

Yeah because everyone knew Milan would crash...

 

[Cycling111]

I rate Del Toro quite high, and giving that this is UAE backyard and Del Toro fist race back, i think he will have prepped for this race. Far more than Remco did. Remco real start to the season remains Catalunya for me. So they're equal favourites for me.

I also value Del Toro, but Remco proved to be superior to him last year.

Not being so this year would be worrying for him, and obviously, if he doesn't beat Del Toro, he should think about how he plans to unseat Vingegaard from second place in the Tour, since Vingegaard is far superior to Del Toro in the mountains.

 

[Cycling111]

Yeah because everyone knew Milan would crash...

No, but there's a reason you need to be well-positioned at every stage. You never know what will happen. It's best to be well-positioned and ready to fight for the win.

In addition, Remco should practice positioning.

 

[Samamba]

At the start there's basically no wind (0-5km/h), but it will pick up by the time the last rider starts (20km/h).

I see 14, which isn't a lot, but sure it's something and it seems to turn. Which means we will see slower T1s and really fast second parts from later starters.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Hinojosa finished last on the first stage in Valenciana last week so quite different starts to their seasons.

 

[AlfaLum]

I also value Del Toro, but Remco proved to be superior to him last year.

Not being so this year would be worrying for him, and obviously, if he doesn't beat Del Toro, he should think about how he plans to unseat Vingegaard from second place in the Tour, since Vingegaard is far superior to Del Toro in the mountains.

Lets not forget that you are talking about a 21 year old Del Toro last year.

The guy will improve year over year and we dont know what steps he has taken this winter for example.

 

[Salvarani]

Lets not forget that you are talking about a 21 year old Del Toro last year.

The guy will improve year over year and we dont know what steps he has taken this winter for example.

Yes, but going into the race Remco is/should be the favorite. Del Toro probably being his main opponent.

Then one gotta evaluate during and after the race.

 

[AlfaLum]

Yes, but going into the race Remco is/should be the favorite.

Then one gotta evaluate during and after the race.

Yeah I agree Remco is the favorite for the race with Del Toro being second favorite.

However even if Remco gets beaten here by Del Toro it doesnt mean that it is a big failure from Remco’s side.

For me its almost a certainty that Del Toro will be amongst the biggest stars in cycling, and it is just a question of when he will be able to challenge the current biggest stars such as Evenepoel.

 

[Berniece]

No, but there's a reason you need to be well-positioned at every stage. You never know what will happen. It's best to be well-positioned and ready to fight for the win.

In addition, Remco should practice positioning.

He was positioned just fine for the plan they had. He wasn't going to sprint. Just because Del Toro did, doesn't mean he should.