Mark Cavendish has four pan-flat stages at the
UAE Tour to test his sprinting legs and technique, an opportunity that could hardly be met anywhere else on the calendar, and he's leading
Astana Qazaqstan Team's ambitions at the race.
The lineup misses Yevgeniy Fedorov and Martin Laas who worked as a leadout for the Manxman at the Tour of Oman, but Cavendish will for the first time be teaming up with
Cees Bol. The duo have high expectations and have perfect terrain for their capabilities here.
The team lacks a leadout, as
Alexey Lutsenko comes in as well with high ambitions for the overall classification. The Kazakh will be supported by
Javier Romo and
Harold Tejada in the uphill finishes.
Davide Martinelli and
Dmitriy Gruzdev complete the lineup to support on all terrains.
Astana Qazaqstan Team for UAE Tour: Mark Cavendish, Alexey Lutsenko, Harold Tejada, Cees Bol, Davide Martinelli, Javier Romo and Dmitriy Gruzdev.