DubaiTour2015
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Dubai Tour 2015: Who could shine?

This week’s Dubai Tour (February 4-7) is drawing big names, including Vincenzo Nibali, reigning Tour de France champion; Mark Cavendish, winner of 43 Grand Tour stages; Alejandro Valverde, winner of the 2014 UCI WorldTour ranking; Tony Martin, three times UCI Time Trial World Champion; Joaquim Rodríguez, two times winner of Il Lombardia; Philippe Gilbert, former UCI Road World Champion and John Degenkolb, 10-time winner of Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España stages.

The four road stages, totalling 663 kilometres, will kick-off Wednesday with a flat stage concluding with four laps of an 8.2km circuit and finish at the Union House Flag.

 

dubai-stages

 

Stage two is a similar fare, with a finish on the iconic palm island for what is likely to be another bunch sprint.

The big showdown will take place on stage three when Nibali, Valverde, Rodriguez and Gilbert will go wheel-to-wheel. The organisers consider it a ‘medium mountain stage’, the riders are sent back and forth in the rugged Hajar Mountains, resulting in two climbs at 10% and one climb at 7%, while the finale is a short ascent with a steepest section of 17%. The GC riders will need to rid themselves of the sprinters on the final climb as time bonuses could otherwise come into play to settle the overall classification.

A city pan-flat stage four concludes the race with 123 kilometers, the shortest in the race, where the fast men will enjoy one final chance to test their sprinting legs.

 

Who could shine at the 2015 Dubai Tour? 

Here’s our list of the big names to look out for.

Mark Cavendish (Etixx-QuickStep)
Ben Swift (Team Sky)
Lars Boom (Astana)
Philippe Gilbert (BMC)
John Degenkolb (Giant-ASPECIN)
Michael Valgren Andersen (Tinkoff-Saxo)

 

WIN THE GC LEADER’S JERSEY

We are so excited about the 2015 Dubai Tour that we have decided to give away one leader’s jersey, designed by the iconic British fashion designer and passionate cycling enthusiast Sir Paul Smith. Entering is easy and open to all Castelli newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans. The usual Castelli rules apply (see below), only one entry is allowed per person, and you enter by commenting below who you think will win the 2015 Dubai Tour.

CONTEST RULES:
1. Contest is open to all Castelli Newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans.
3. The prize drawing is open to residents of the European Union and North America.
4. This contest begins at 12:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET) on February 02, 2015, and ends at 12:00 p.m. (CET) on February 6, 2015.
5. The Castelli random-number generator will pick the lucky winners.

 

The 16 teams and their favorites.

AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA) – Bakelandts, Van Summeren
ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ) – Nibali, Boom
BARDIANI CSF (ITA) – Battaglin, Pirazzi
BMC RACING TEAM (USA) – Gilbert, Zabel
CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE (POL) – Bole, Szmyd
ETIXX–QUICK STEP (BEL) – Cavendish, Martin
LAMPRE–MERIDA (ITA) – Pozzato, Xu
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP) – Valverde, Malori
SKYDIVE DUBAI PRO CYCLING TEAM (UAE) – Mancebo, Gusev
TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN (GER) – Degenkolb, Mezgec
TEAM KATUSHA (RUS) – Rodriguez, Porsev
TEAM NOVO NORDISK (USA) – Megias, Verschoor
TEAM SKY (GBR) – Thomas, Swift
TINKOFF-SAXO (RUS) – Valgren, Kiserlovski
UAE NATIONAL SELECTION – Badr Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Alhammadi,  Mohammed Yousef Ahmed Abdulla
UNITEDHEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (USA) – Brajkovic and Canola

For more information: dubaitour.com
Related articles: 2015 Dubai Tour leader’s jersey unveiled

 

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100 Comments

  • Ian Hadridge says: February 3, 2015 at 12:54

    The win the 2015 Dubai Tour will be Vincenso Nibali

    Reply
  • Matthew Brownnutt says: February 3, 2015 at 12:59

    I think Alejandro Valverde will win

    Reply
  • Kenneth says: February 3, 2015 at 13:01

    Valverde is going to win.

    Reply
  • Paul Martin says: February 3, 2015 at 13:07

    I think John Degenkolb (Giant-ASPECIN) will win

    Reply
  • Carsten says: February 3, 2015 at 13:07

    I think it will be Vincenzo Nibali.

    Reply
  • Eirik says: February 3, 2015 at 13:08

    I think Tony Martin will win the 2015 Dubai tour

    Reply
  • Scott Phillips says: February 3, 2015 at 13:08

    Stephen Cummings

    Reply
  • mark says: February 3, 2015 at 13:11

    Swift

    Reply
  • Daniel Izod says: February 3, 2015 at 13:15

    Valverde

    Reply
  • Michael Evans says: February 3, 2015 at 13:17

    I think Alejandro Valverde will win the 2015 Dubai Tour

    Reply
  • Mass Hoff says: February 3, 2015 at 13:29

    Nibali!

    Reply
  • Robbert says: February 3, 2015 at 13:30

    Nibali

    Reply
  • Mauro says: February 3, 2015 at 13:36

    Nibali

    Reply
  • Dave says: February 3, 2015 at 13:41

    John Dagenkolb will win.

    Reply
  • Paul M says: February 3, 2015 at 13:46

    Alejandro Valverde,

    Reply
  • Marcel Straka says: February 3, 2015 at 13:51

    Nibali will win :)

    Reply
  • Doug McMasters says: February 3, 2015 at 13:57

    Valverde will win

    Reply
  • Anne Sinke says: February 3, 2015 at 13:58

    Lars Boom (Astana) will win!!!

    Reply
  • Steve Brink says: February 3, 2015 at 14:04

    Nibali will stand tall.

    Reply
  • Mike says: February 3, 2015 at 14:04

    I believe Philippe Gilbert will win the 2015 Dubai Tour.

    Reply
  • Samuel Lai says: February 3, 2015 at 14:24

    Nibali

    Reply
  • mark nicolson says: February 3, 2015 at 14:25

    Lars doom

    Reply
  • Erik says: February 3, 2015 at 14:36

    I’ll go with Gilbert.

    Reply
  • Conrad mcewan says: February 3, 2015 at 14:37

    Nibali

    Reply
  • MGD says: February 3, 2015 at 14:42

    Degenkolb!

    Reply
  • Rick Stein says: February 3, 2015 at 14:42

    Cavendish

    Reply
  • Brendan says: February 3, 2015 at 14:47

    Philippe Gilbert

    Reply
  • nigel dhillon says: February 3, 2015 at 14:54

    I think it will be Vincenzo Nibali.

    Reply
  • Andy says: February 3, 2015 at 15:00

    Ben Swift’s performance seems all right!

    Reply
  • Mark says: February 3, 2015 at 15:07

    Vincenzo Nibali

    Reply
  • Chris scrivener says: February 3, 2015 at 15:10

    Nibali to win

    Reply
  • Andrew says: February 3, 2015 at 15:12

    Degenkolb

    Reply
  • Robert says: February 3, 2015 at 15:29

    Nibali will win

    Reply
  • Matias Losad says: February 3, 2015 at 15:29

    I see Lars Boom winning this tour!

    Reply
  • Steve says: February 3, 2015 at 15:30

    Geraint Thomas – Wales all the way

    Reply
  • Jack says: February 3, 2015 at 15:57

    John Degenkolb

    Reply
  • Forrest Egan says: February 3, 2015 at 16:05

    Ben Swift

    Reply
  • Samuel Mills says: February 3, 2015 at 16:33

    Philippe Gilbert

    Reply
  • Matt D says: February 3, 2015 at 16:42

    Ben Swift

    Reply
  • Leonard Marlow says: February 3, 2015 at 16:54

    Cavendish

    Reply
  • Henk Rek says: February 3, 2015 at 17:09

    Lars Boom will be the winner

    Reply
  • Remi McManus says: February 3, 2015 at 17:29

    Valverde. But don’t rule out Paco Mancebo!

    Reply
  • javier says: February 3, 2015 at 17:30

    This is awesome.

    Reply
  • Chris Ridgeway says: February 3, 2015 at 18:16

    Valverde will win

    Reply
  • Chris Ortiz says: February 3, 2015 at 18:25

    I think Thomas from Team Sky will be winning this one.

    Reply
  • Robert Ramirez says: February 3, 2015 at 18:28

    I think Alejandro Valverde will win

    Reply
  • wai says: February 3, 2015 at 18:35

    The winner is:
    Philippe Gilbert (BMC)

    Reply
  • Paul Kayes says: February 3, 2015 at 18:47

    The winner of the 2015 Dubai Tour will be Vincenso Nibali

    Reply
  • Donald Morin says: February 3, 2015 at 18:55

    Philippe Gilbert

    Reply
  • wayne fordham says: February 3, 2015 at 18:58

    The 2015 tour of dubai will vincenso nibali

    Reply
  • George Gustard says: February 3, 2015 at 19:06

    Gilbert. Short punchy climb suits his racing, on form he can beat any field as seen at the 2012 Worlds & the Ardennes classics.

    Reply
  • Matthew France says: February 3, 2015 at 19:19

    Gilbert for me

    Reply
  • Rich22222 says: February 3, 2015 at 19:35

    Mezgec Degenkolb

    Reply
  • Jeffrey Tunick says: February 3, 2015 at 19:40

    Nibali will win the tour

    Reply
  • Jonny White says: February 3, 2015 at 19:59

    Valverde will win The Tour of Dubai 2015

    Reply
  • steve says: February 3, 2015 at 20:15

    John Degenkolb to sneak it.

    Reply
  • Rick Bush says: February 3, 2015 at 20:16

    I am voting for Ben Swift

    Reply
  • Laurence says: February 3, 2015 at 20:28

    Geraint Thomas to win!!

    Reply
  • Laura says: February 3, 2015 at 20:28

    Swift will take it!

    Reply
  • matt fellows says: February 3, 2015 at 21:28

    Valverde

    Reply
  • Joan Barona says: February 3, 2015 at 22:08

    P. Gilbert will win…

    Reply
  • scot says: February 3, 2015 at 22:18

    Valverde

    Reply
  • Alexander Arato says: February 3, 2015 at 23:55

    Philippe Gilbert

    Reply
  • Ric Carter says: February 4, 2015 at 00:00

    Valverde to win.

    Reply
  • Andy Carter says: February 4, 2015 at 00:05

    Swift to win !

    Reply
  • Jamie Packington says: February 4, 2015 at 00:19

    I think Lars Boom will win. BOOM!!

    Reply
  • R. Augat says: February 4, 2015 at 00:35

    The winner will be Vincenso Nibali.

    Reply
  • Matthew bartlett says: February 4, 2015 at 00:49

    I’ll be patriotic and go with Cavendish

    Reply
  • Barry haynie says: February 4, 2015 at 01:04

    Valverde!

    Reply
  • Trevor Sivies says: February 4, 2015 at 01:12

    Rodriguez!

    Reply
  • Jeff Stead says: February 4, 2015 at 01:20

    My pick is Lars Boom

    Reply
  • MacKenzie barker says: February 4, 2015 at 01:28

    Philippe GILBERT.

    Reply
  • Russell Bainbridge says: February 4, 2015 at 01:45

    Swift Thomas

    Reply
  • Dan Rhule says: February 4, 2015 at 02:01

    My pick is Valverde.

    Reply
  • Andrew Aziz says: February 4, 2015 at 02:36

    Degenkolb for sure

    Reply
  • mark doak says: February 4, 2015 at 02:39

    Juan Jose Lobato

    Reply
  • Simon Tomkins says: February 4, 2015 at 02:51

    Nibali to win Dubai. Me to win the jersey.

    Reply
  • wayne gunther says: February 4, 2015 at 02:54

    gilbert

    Reply
  • Ingo Dießner says: February 4, 2015 at 03:32

    John Degenkolb!!

    Reply
  • Josh Lamm says: February 4, 2015 at 03:52

    The win will go to cavendish.

    Reply
  • Dan says: February 4, 2015 at 03:59

    I look to see Ben Swift take the win.

    Reply
  • Derek says: February 4, 2015 at 05:05

    I hope for a win by Thomas!

    Reply
  • Colt says: February 4, 2015 at 05:28

    Tony Martin for the overall

    Reply
  • Thomas Weiss says: February 4, 2015 at 07:41

    Valverde

    Reply
  • ciaran says: February 4, 2015 at 07:44

    Philipe gilbert

    Reply
  • ciaran says: February 4, 2015 at 07:45

    Phillipe gilbert

    Reply
  • Laporte Benjamin says: February 4, 2015 at 07:46

    Philippe Gilbert win

    Reply
  • Jim Yeoman says: February 4, 2015 at 09:19

    Valverdr

    Reply
  • Matthew Morris says: February 4, 2015 at 09:48

    Mark Cavendish

    Reply
  • Jesus Velasco says: February 4, 2015 at 10:01

    Elia Viviani will win Tour Dubai 2015.
    Good luck every body!!!
    The jersey is most beautiful!!!!

    Reply
  • David Pearson says: February 4, 2015 at 11:20

    Alejandro Valverde for the win.

    Reply
  • Mark James says: February 4, 2015 at 11:47

    Given his form at the weekend in Mallorca, it’s going to be Valverde

    Reply
  • Brian Pera says: February 4, 2015 at 15:58

    i think Valverde will win!

    Reply
  • Sina says: February 4, 2015 at 21:14

    I think Tony Martin will be the winner.

    Reply
  • Simone Grisenti says: February 4, 2015 at 22:14

    The winner will be Mark Cavendish

    Reply
  • Rich says: February 5, 2015 at 03:08

    The Manx Missle, Cavendish!

    Reply
  • Nicola says: February 5, 2015 at 15:42

    Nibali will make it!

    Reply
  • Gary says: February 5, 2015 at 22:26

    Got to support Cavendish to win

    Reply
  • Castelli-Cycling
    Castelli-Cycling says: February 6, 2015 at 12:23

    If your name is Henk Rek then you are probably pretty happy right now! That’s right, you’re the lucky owner of the 2015 Dubai Tour blue GC leader jersey and bib-short. Congratulations!

    Reply
  • Henk Rek says: February 12, 2015 at 13:28

    Wow! Very happy! I’m a fan of Castelli AND Paul Smith. Thanks a million!

    Reply
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