PREVIEW | Saudi Tour 2023 stage 2 - Dylan Groenewegen looks to net second sprint win on flat finish
Cycling
Throughout five days the peloton will race in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudi Tour. The opening stage saw a bunch sprint where Team Jayco AlUla's Dylan Groenewegen took the win, and stage 2 should have a similar outcome on flat roads.
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. The fast men are unlikely to be challenged on this day, however the weather and road conditions can certainly cause a lot of built-up fatigue towards the finale.
Stage 2: Winter Park - Shalal Sjilyat Rocks, 184 kilometers
Prediction Time
Pick: Dylan Groenewegen
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- EF’s “island of misfit toys” squad is probably one of my favorites in the peloton. They are fun to watch, always trying stuff - they ride with heart and panache, and their kits are excellent.wrsty20-10-2026
- 'Children these days'... Wout, since the caveman learned to say "Ug", older generations have always said this about younger generations. Not every young rider is a cowboy. So what's to say that the fact that Poels was respectful meant that his peers were equally so?
Rafionain-Glas19-10-2026 - "...In a weakened field" Most definitely ! YAWN !frieders319-10-2026
- Noted. But I had to appease his fans.MajorPayne19-10-2026
- I wonder if he'll race Challenge MallorcaRafionain-Glas19-10-2026
- Head to head time-splits: Jay Vine vs Remco Evenepoel: 10.5 km - Vine lost 45 seconds to Evenepoel 34.2 km - Vine lost a further 1:10, and was caught in the vicinity of that checkpoint. Note: I remember Vine getting caught before the second checkpoint, and ProCyclingStats log supports that, however, the gap at the second checkpoint was less than 2 minutes. 45.4 km - Vine lost only 16 seconds Of course, Vine lost less time in the middle section than the early section, but at the final segment rate, he'd have lost 15 seconds in the opening section and and 34 seconds in the middle. It is possible that Vine paced himself very well but that seems unlikely. In comparison with Stefan Küng: Kung lost: 26 seconds at T1. A further 1:11 by T2. A further 40 seconds by the finish. Relative to Evenepoel, Küng did slow down by the end. Maxime Decomble: Lost 47 seconds at T1. A further 1:20 by T2. A further 26 seconds by the finish. Mikkel Bjerg: Lost 37 seconds at T1. A further 1:34 by T2. A further 46 seconds by the finish. It is not concrete evidence that Vine cheated though it certainly doesn't absolve him. However, watching the race, I am 100% sure that Vine did not pull over and follow a different line when Remco passed him. Remco pulled away quite quickly, but the gap did not balloon and Vine definitely got aero assistance.Rafionain-Glas19-10-2026
- That ship has sailed years agovappaxbipmv19-10-2026
- He doesn't have to. I'd be perfectly happy if he loses SB if he then wins everything elsevappaxbipmv19-10-2026
- Please don't put Remco in the same sentence as Tadej. It's disrespectful to Tadej. Please make a note of this.KissinKate19-10-2026
- ....and you just described how americans are fleecing american fans as well. We don't even get the eurosport coverage you get. What you see on yurrup HBO is not available in this country. Trust me, being a cycling fan sucks everywhere.KissinKate19-10-2026
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The perfect work of the team @GreenEDGEteam 🤜🤛 + A strong sprint victory for @GroenewegenD 🚀 = The last kilometer of #SaudiTour first stage 🚩
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