Some of the world’s top riders are in town for the second Abu Dhabi Tour. As last year, the three sprint stages and one mountain stage means that sprinters will thrive but the best climber will win the overall classification. Here are five to look out for.
Visit our Abu Dhabi Tour section for full coverage of the event.
Elia Viviani (Ita — Team Sky)
He may not have won a road race since March this year, but Viviani will be among those competing until the very end. For one, he has had a solid season, winning a gold medal in Rio in the Omnium. But he is also a specialist in the region: last year he won two stages in Abu Dhabi and has won a stage each in two Dubai Tours.
Alberto Contador (Esp — Tinkoff)
Names do not come much bigger than Contador. Two Tour de France wins, two Giro d’Italia triumphs and a three-time winner of the Vuelta a Espana, this is Contador’s first appearance in Abu Dhabi. He does not think he is in the best physical shape right now but this has been a successful season and his all-round prowess cannot be discounted.
Mark Cavendish (GBR — Team Dimension Data)
How could you not want to keep an eye on the Abu Dhabi Tour ambassador? He has been outstanding this season and missed out on making it a golden season by the thinnest of margins. On the sprint stages he will be there or thereabouts at the end; on Jebel Hafeet, you might want to give him a miss.
Greg van Avarmaet (Bel — BMC Racing Team)
Whatever else happens in his career, van Avarmaet will never forget 2016. It was the year of his Olympic gold and it was the cherry topping on a big year. He won a stage at the Tour de France and wore the yellow jersey for three days as well. He won the Cycliste de Montreal last month so arrives in good form.
Michael Matthews (Aus — Orica BikeExchange)
Matthews raced in last year’s event but by his own admission, suffered from the lack of acclimatisation to the conditions. This year, having arrived from Doha, he believes he can do better. Do not doubt him. He finished fourth at the Worlds in Doha, and won a stage at the Tour de France as well this season. In hot form currently.
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