In Pictures: The top riders at the Dubai Tour

Ryder Hesjedal, Canada. The 2012 Giro d'Italia winner for Garmin Sharp is a little bit of a nearly man, always in the mix but never really seeming to have the legs in the big races. The one exception to this being his Giro win in 2012 where he beat Joaquim Rodriguez to the pink jersey by just 16 seconds. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images

Marcel Kittel, Germany. The Giant Shimano rider is the new face on the sprinting scene and has really shaken things up. "When there is someone simply faster than you there is nothing you can do,"" Cavendish said after losing to him in last year's stage 12 of the Tour de France. Stages two and four of this years race could show us who has the legs early in the season. Jeff Pachoud / AFP

Thor Hushovd, Norway. The Norwegian nicknames of 'The God of Thunder' or 'The Bull from Grimstad' tell you everything you need to know. A big powerful rider for BMC Racing Team with many major wins under his belt, he can time trial sprint and is no slouch on the hills. The Tour of Dubai could suit him down to the ground. Vegard Grott / AFP / Scanpix Norway

Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver, Spain. Ten grand tour stage wins for the Katusha rider as well as his 2012 win of the spring classic race La Fleche Wallone shows Joaquim to be a real tough man in the peleton. Could be in with a good chance on as the race heads out towards Hatta on stage 3. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images

Peter Sagan, Slovakia. At 24, Sagan is one of pro cycling's brightest rising stars. Twice the winner of the green points jersey in the Tour de France and seven grand tour stage wins under his belt, the Cannondale rider has speed in the sprint as well as strength for multi-stage races. Often his bad boy image out of the saddle overshadows his talent but he is never dull to watch. Laurent Cipriani / AP

Taylor Phinney, USA. Former junior world time trial champion with an impressive record in track pursuit events, the young BMC Racing Team rider will surely fancy his chances on the opening day of the race in the flat fast time trial. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images

Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland. Four times world time trial champion and former Olympic gold medal winner, Cancellara of Trek Factory Racing will be one of the favorites to take the first stage along with German rider Tony Martin and Taylor Phinney from America. He is also well versed in stage riding in the region after winning the Tour of Oman in 2010. Luk Benies / AFP

Vincenzo Nibali, left, Italy. Former winner of two of the Grand Tours the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta Espana, as well as podium finishes on the Tour de France makes the Team Astana rider, one of the best multi-stage riders in the world at the moment. He was the only rider able to stay anywhere near Wiggins and Froome in the 2012 edition of the tour before going on to take his Giro title a year later in a race that proved too tough for Wiggins. Lionel Bonaventure / AFP

Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa, Portugal. The Lampre rider Rui Costa is the current world World Road Race Champion so should be easy to pick out on the roads of Dubai in the Rainbow Jersery traditionally worn by the reigning champion. He is also a two time Tour de Suiss winner. A decent time trial rider should make him a strong conteder in the GC. Luk Benies / AFP

A breakdown of the top riders to keep an eye on during the Dubai Tour, which starts Wednesday.