Stage 1: Al Dhafra Castle - Al Mirfa, 151 kilometers
The finale will be more technical than all others throughout the race. Although it is unsure how small, the finish straight will be quite short as the riders go back and forth through the same road - on opposite directions - in the final kilometers. A right-hander will be present shortly after the finish line, meaning a battle for that corner between the leadouts and the sprinters will take place before the final punch.
The Weather
UAE Tour 2023 stage 1 map
Strong northwestern wind. No excuses, no coverage, stage 1 will be wild and already test the GC riders to the maximum most likely. Not all sprinters will likely be able to contest for the win aswell. Big portions of the stage will have headwind, but in the finishing city there will be crosswinds. In the final sprint there seems to be a headwind until the final corner, where it switches to a cross-tailwind.
There will be a very large list of contenders for this sprint, as will be the case every single flat day. With 4 opportunities it is no surprise that the teams have sent their fast men and leadouts to the UAE, where there will be plenty World Tour wins - and points - available. Onto the opening day, let's take a look at each sprinter and their leadout.
Sam Bennett - Danny van Poppel - Shane Archbold - Ryan Mullen - Patrick Gamper
Tim Merlier - Bert van Lerberghe - Mauro Schmid - Josef Cerny
Dylan Groenewegen - Luka Mezgec - Blake Quick - Michael Hepburn
Arnaud Démare - Bram Welten - Laurence Pithie
Caleb Ewan - Jacopo Guarnieri - Rüdiger Selig - Michael Schwarzmann - Jarrad Drizners
Fernando Gaviria - Albert Torres
Phil Bauhaus - Nikias Arndt - Johan Price-Pejtersen
Gerben Thijssen - Boy van Poppel - Julius Johansen
Olav Kooij - Tosh van der Sande - TImo Roosen
Mark Cavendish - Cees Bol
Sam Welsford - Niklas Märkl - Alex Edmonson
Furthermore, the likes of Marijn van den Berg, Elia Viviani, Itamar Einhorn, Emils Liepins, Arvid de Kleijn and Juan Sebastián Molano will also have chances of being towards the front. It's a luxurious list in both quantity and quality when it comes to the sprinters.
This first day will also be a gauge to how well the leadouts will be functioning. It's not an easy task, specially in this field to make it work. Aditionally, luck will also have a meaningful role in this sprint, as with so many contenders many are bound to lose position and not be able to even see the front.
Prediction UAE Tour 2023 stage 1:
*** S.Bennett, Groenewegen, Merlier
** Démare, Gaviria, Bauhaus, Kooij
* Ewan, Thijssen, Cavendish, Welsford, Liepins, de Kleijn, Molano
Pick: Sam Bennett