Pre-race events

El campeón de España y sus compañeros comparecieron en la presentación de equipos en Dubai antes de una primera etapa llana por los alrededores de la ciudad. Las primeras ascensiones, el lunes en Hatta.

UAE TOUR GUIDE | All info on the Emirati race + the Movistar Team (Feb 23rd – 29th)

QUOTES / Alejandro Valverde:

“It’s always nice to make the journey towards here. It’s a well-organised race, with so many world-class competitors, a strong field of sprinters and two mountain-top finishes, plus Monday’s slope, where we will try to finish as closer to the best as possible. We’ve got a strong favourite in Pogacar, who should be doing great here, and other big rivals. I feel my condition is not as good as in previous years coming into this race, but I’m steadily building my form and I’m coming here willing to enjoy that form. I’m not obsessed with not having won any races yet this year – as everybody knows, my goals are quite far away. Froome? I’m so happy to see him back racing here. I’m sure he’s had to go through so much suffering, so many sacrifices to be back – his injury was quite more serious than mine, with many more fractures, and it’s hard to get your mind going after such a blow. Coming back, training, making all those sacrifices – it’s not for everybody. Your mind is 80% in every physical activity, and you’ve got to have a strong mentality to cope with such setbacks.”

Pictures (c): Dario Belingheri / BettiniPhoto (presentation / press conference) + Movistar Team (training)