thecyclingdane

Patrick and Scott discuss the UAE Tour as it returns once again as one of the first major WorldTour events of the season, bringing together warm-weather racing, wide-open desert roads, and a start list packed with big names. This year’s edition follows the familiar formula of sprint-friendly stages, crosswind danger and two decisive mountain finishes, but with one major twist as the race introduces the brutal new climb of Jebel Mobrah, featuring a savage final ramp that could completely reshape the general classification battle. With a flat individual time trial also on the menu, the stage is set for a fascinating showdown between Remco Evenepoel and Isaac Del Toro, as Evenepoel looks to gain time against the clock while Del Toro will be targeting the steeper gradients where his explosiveness could prove decisive. Add in the presence of Adam Yates and a strong UAE Team Emirates squad, and tactical warfare could play a huge role. Behind the headline favourites, riders like Tobias Halland Johannessen, Antonio Tiberi and Michael Storer will be hoping to take advantage of any weakness, while the sprint stages look primed for Jonathan Milan to dominate as he faces a weakened field. With a mix of pure speed, climbing drama and constant wind threat, the UAE Tour is once again shaping up to be one of the most important early season races and a real indicator of who is ready to take control in 2026.

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Patrick and Scott breakdown the 52nd Volta ao Algarve which kicks off Wednesday, 18 February and runs through Sunday, 22 February, offering five days of action-packed racing across southern Portugal. With two sprint stages, two uphill finishes, and a crucial individual time trial, this early-season battle is a chance to see the season’s form take shape.
Over the years, the Algarve has served as a springboard for cycling’s biggest stars, with past winners including Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar, and Jonas Vingegaard, all of whom used this race to announce themselves as serious GC contenders for the season ahead.
In 2026, the main favourites for the overall victory include João Almeida, looking to continue his early-season consistency, Paul Seixas, aiming to assert himself in the GC battle, while Lidl-Trek’s new recruits Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee-West could shake up the standings. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will be hoping Florian Lipowitz can make an impact, adding further intrigue to the race.
Tune in for stage previews, team tactics, and GC predictions, plus insights into which riders might surprise and how the 2026 Volta ao Algarve could set the tone for the rest of the season.

Remco Evenepoel has had an electric start with his new team, winning the Mallorca Challenge and taking the overall victory at the Tour of Valencia. Can he continue this momentum to challenge Tadej Pogacar in 2026 in both one-day races and the Tour de France?

We go behind the scenes at Unibet–Tietema Rockets’ Media Day, sitting down with some of the key faces of the team. Hear candid conversations with Victor Lafay, Bas Tietema, Niklas Larsen, and Dylan Groenewegen as they talk ambitions, pressure, personalities, and life inside one of the most talked-about projects in the peloton.
From sprint goals to team culture, this is an inside look you don’t get on race day — relaxed, honest, and straight from the riders and management shaping the Rockets’ future.

Dylan Groenewegen shares his experiences at the Tour de France, Why he joined the Unibet Rose Rockets and how its like being in a sprint.