PREVIEW | Saudi Tour 2023 - Middle East receives sprinter-filled peloton for windy and explosive week of racing

Throughout five days the peloton will race in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudi Tour. It is the beginning of a long stint of racing in the Middle East from the 30th of January and the 3rd of February.

The opening stage of the race will start in AlUla, a name now well known within pro cycling as they are the new title sponsor of Australian Team Jayco AlUla. It's a flat stage that is close to a complete straight line, set to finish in Khayber. Stage two has a slightly hillier start with some bonus seconds available at the top of an early hilltop. Most of the stage however is pan-flat, with the Shalal Siljyat Rocks spot set to host the finale in what should be a bunch sprint.

Stage three has a open finale, but most of the day is flat. Even though the profile hints at a lot of climbing, no tough gradients will be found at any time, and it's at the finish where the hurt may be put to the sprinters. A sprint is expected, however a 700 meter ramp at 7% ends already inside the final kilometer, the puncheurs and GC riders will have an opportunity to take time on the competition.

The queen stage. Stage 4 is a pan-flat day except for the finale, which will take place in the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid. The final 10 kilometers are flat but they come after a 7.5 kilometer climb at 5.9%. However, the final 2.9 kilometers of the ascent average 12% and will be able to see big differences created, likely where the overall classification will be decided aswell. The final day into Maraya will be an interesting one, with only 142 kilometers in the menu but including a 7.3-kilometer long gravel sector. Most of the stage is flat, but the finale will see a slight uphill drag to the line.

The startlist includes riders such as: Santiago Buitrago, Jonathan Milan, Dylan Groenewegen, Pascal Ackermann, Felix Grossschartner, Simone Consonni, Max Walscheid, Soren Waerenskjold, Ruben Guerreiro, Max Kanter and Cees Bol.

Prediction Time

*** Felix Grossschartner
** Santiago Buitrago, Ruben Guerreiro
* Aleksandr Riabushenko, Ruben Fernandéz, Davide Formolo

Pick: Felix Grossschartner