Last year’s winner Adam Yates will line up for the UAE Tour at Al Dhafra Castle in his new Ineos Grenadiers colours on Sunday, as the WorldTour season finally gets underway. Winner or not, Yates will be hoping this year’s race will be significantly different to last, which saw the last two stages cancelled and riders confined to their hotels for up to two weeks post-race after two team staff tested positive for Covid-19.
It was the first major disruption to pro cycling due to the virus, but this year’s event, with established safety protocols in place, should pass off far more smoothly.
Yates, who will be joined by Luke Rowe and Tour de la Provence winner Ivan Sosa for Ineos, will have to contend with his chief sparring partner from last year, Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates). It will also mark Chris Froome’s first outing for Israel Start-Up Nation.
This story is from the February 18, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 18, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Claud Butler Criterium
A classic British brand ridden by beginners and Olympians alike
Dr Hutch
At what point does a bold show of strength become brazen showboating? The Doc ponders the etiquette of the long solo break
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...CBD
From reducing pain to promoting relaxation and sleep, myriad are the claims made for cannabidiol but do they stack up? Rob Kemp finds out
Van Rysel D900
Andy Turner discovers whether Decathlon's high-spec, low-price smart trainer can compete with the likes of Wahoo, Tacx and Elite
What prep does my bike need for summer?
Pro bike mechanic Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike
2024 GIRO D'ITALIA
Attention turns to Italy and 21 days of Grand Tour action
Pogačar's dominance at the Giro could be dull
While I may have been a little young to understand the full romance of the Tour de France during the Armstrong era, I never understood the sentiment that it was boring just because of Lance's dominance.
Team GB's Paris Olympics track bike launched
BC reveals the bike that it hopes will power riders to medals in Paris this summer
Romandie victory marks Ineos return to stage race success
Carlos Rodríguez wins British team's first WorldTour stage race since 2022, writes Adam Becket
Is pro racing getting more dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to the perceived greater risks. One that does not get any attention is the greater importance of UCI points and the need to constantly collect them to avoid relegation.
