Ahead of the start of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour, Jon Turner picks out six cyclists to watch out for. To move on to the next rider, click the red arrows in the bottom right corner of the image, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
As the Abu Dhabi Tour ambassador and a bonafide cycling superstar, much will be expected of Cavendish. Second in the all-time list of Tour de France stage winners with 30, a four-time track cycling world champion and a points classification winner in each of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana, Cavendish is one of the true greats of sprint cycling. Having missed the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour with a shoulder injury, Cavendish clinched the Points Classification last year after winning two of the four stages. He admitted to being short of top fitness at the Dubai Tour earlier this month and has since remained in the UAE to prepare for Abu Dhabi. Will be among the leading contenders to win the Green Jersey.
Alberto Contador (Trek — Segafredo)
A late addition to the Abu Dhabi Tour, Contador is undoubtedly one of cycling’s all-time greats. A two-time winner of the Tour de France (2007 and 2009) and Giro d’Italia (2008 and 2015), and three-time winner of Vuelta a Espana (2008, 2012 and 2014), Contador is one of only six riders to have won all three Grand Tours. The Spaniard, 34, has previous in the UAE capital having competed at the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour, finishing fifth overall. Having initially planned to retire at the end of the 2016 season, Contador delayed his decision for another year, leaving Tinkoff to sign with Trek-Segafredo. As an all-rounder, he will expect to be competing near the front for the Red Jersey.
Elia Viviani (Team Sky)
Sure to be one of Cavendish’s main rivals for the Green Jersey, Viviani is one of the most talented sprinters of this generation, claiming a total of 40 stage wins in his career since turning professional in 2010. The Italian, 28, has enjoyed success in Abu Dhabi before having won the inaugural Green Jersey after claiming two stages in 2015. He was not able to replicate that achievement in 2016, losing out to Cavendish in tight sprint finishes in the second and fourth stages, but he finished ahead of his British rival earlier this month by finishing fifth at the Dubai Tour. An accomplished track cyclist as well as on the road, Viviani won omnium gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors)
Arguably the man to beat among the sprinters, Kittel enters the Abu Dhabi Tour in fine form after retaining his Dubai Tour title with victory in three of the four stages (one stage was cancelled due to bad weather). The German, 28, is a winner of 13 Grand Tour stages, including nine at the Tour de France. He made headlines during the Dubai Tour after getting punched in the face by Astana Pro Team's Andriy Grivko. Will be hoping for a scandal-free race on his debut in the capital.
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida)
Like Contador, Nibali is one of cycling’s greatest ever all-rounders. The Italian joins his Spanish rival in the exclusive club of riders to have won all three Grand Tours — the Vuelta a Espana in 2010, the Giro d’Italia in both 2013 and 2016 and the Tour de France in 2014. Nibali, 32, competed in both previous editions of the Abu Dhabi Tour, finishing ninth in its inaugural year before a fourth-place finish in 2016. After four seasons with Astana Pro Team, Nibali signed with the newly-formed Bahrain-Merida for 2017, and he will want to impress his new team with victory in the Middle East’s premier cycling tour.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team)
Quintana has so far fallen just short of completing the Grand Tour set like Nibali and Contador. A winner of the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and Vuelta a Espana in 2016, the Colombian, 27, is a two-time runner-up of the Tour de France (2013 and 2015). A specialist climber and good time trialist makes Quintana a contender for General Classification at most stage races. Expect Quintana to contend on the Abu Dhabi Tour’s third climbing stage. Having outlined his plans to attempt the Vuelta a Espana and Tour de France double this season, a good showing in Abu Dhabi will be the ideal preparation.
