UAE Tour 2024 – Stage 2 Preview

A nasty crash to finish the day. A few early launchers and just Merlier timing it too perfection. Tomorrow, it is a time trial.

Route

A pancake TT.

Going against the clock. The island was used back in 2021 for the time trial but the route was different. It will take the best around 13 minutes.

Weather

Sunny and looks to be the same conditions for everyone. That is 22 degrees C and 6 m/s from the NW. More or less means a headwind out and a tailwind home.

Contenders

Bjerg – 3rd here in 2021. He usually goes very well in the start of the season. I hope he will be able to go for a few classics this season, but the most likely scenario is him riding with Pogacar for most of the season. Tomorrow is one of the few chances for his own result, I think the podium is doable again.

McNulty – form is very good just now. Is he good enough to win a flat TT? In this field, I think he can challenge for the top-5 for certain. However, I just don’t think the route suits him.

Foss – let’s see if he and the Pinarello is friends already. I think the completely flat route is good for him, I think he has a shot for the podium.

Cavagna – starts as the favorite. Is the new bike a downgrade? Very likely. Still, he starts as the favorite, he is very good on the pancake time trials.

Edmondson – good results on similar routes in the past. A top-5 on a good day.

Armirail – Same goes for Armirail. I think it suits the heavier TT-specialists and his prologue in Provence was good.

Who will win?

I think this is a good stage for Remi Cavagna.