Pello Bilbao returns to the 5th edition of the UAE Tour following his impressive display last year, where he clinched a podium place, moving up four positions on the final stage atop Jebel Hafeet.

Starting from Al Dhafra Castle on 20th February, the riders will take on a total of 1,028km of racing over the seven stages. Like previous editions, the race will have four stages suited to the sprinters assuming crosswinds are kind, and two summit finishes to shake up the GC. This year’s main difference is stage 2, featuring a 17.2km Team Time Trial at Khalifa Port.

Sports Director Neil Stephens believes the team is made up of a good mix to be competitive across the seven stages: “The lineup is a really good mixture of experienced members of the team, with Pello Bilbao leading the team and hoping to get another podium finish. He will be supported by Wout Poels in the mountains as well. We’ve also got the experienced Nikias Arndt, who is new to the team and has already performed extremely well in Australia. He will be leading out Bauhaus, who also had an exceptional start to the season and will be looking to take his chances here. 

We’ve then got three young riders, Matevz Govekar, Fran Miholjevic and Johan Price-Pejtersen, who we’ve got really high hopes for and will offer great support for Bilbao. With the Team Time Trial this year, the skills of Fran and Johan will be fundamental in the fight for GC.”