The UAE Tour's time trial stage is about to get intense, and cyclists Josh Tarling and Ethan Hayter are bracing themselves for a showdown with the formidable Remco Evenepoel. But here's the twist: Tarling jokingly admits he'd rather Evenepoel wasn't there, highlighting the immense challenge ahead. With a unique 12.2km course that deviates from the traditional general classification starting order, Evenepoel will take off fifth at 12:54, a full two hours and 20 minutes after stage 1 leader Isaac del Toro. Del Toro, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, seized the early advantage with a daring uphill finish, claiming a 10-second lead over Evenepoel, the new star of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe.
Tarling, no stranger to tough competition, previously faced TT specialists like Stefan Bissegger, Tadej Pogačar, and Jay Vine. However, Evenepoel is a different caliber of opponent, prompting Tarling's lighthearted wish for his absence. And this is the part most people miss: the time trial's flat, fast, and aerodynamically-focused nature heavily favors certain riders, potentially limiting opportunities for others, regardless of their power output. Hayter candidly acknowledges Evenepoel's near-unbeatable status in this discipline, especially if he replicates his Euro and World Championship performances from last year.
But is Evenepoel truly invincible? Hayter thinks not, but admits he's close. He points out that equipment plays a massive role in this type of trial, possibly even more than raw power. Evenepoel's recent switch to a new team raises questions about his gear's speed, though answers will only come after the trial. Interestingly, Evenepoel's recent wins, including a TTT in Mallorca and an ITT in Valencia, were raced on road bikes due to weather conditions, adding another layer of unpredictability.
Hayter, while not expecting a win, hopes for a solid performance, noting the course's similarity to last year's Baloise Belgium Tour and Tour of Holland trials. But here's where it gets controversial: could Evenepoel's new team setup or equipment choices create an unexpected opening for his competitors? Or will he dominate as expected? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Evenepoel is unbeatable in this format, or is there room for an upset? Share your take below!
