Mark Cavendish will be in action for the Wolfpack at the first World Tour event of the season.
Two summit finishes, a short and fast individual time trial and four flat stages that the sprinters will love make up the course of the fourth UAE Tour, which kicks off in just a couple of days, in Abu Dhabi. The only World Tour race organised in the Middle East will have a total of 1081 kilometers across its seven stages and an elevation gain of 3500 meters.
On four of these days, the sprinters are expected to be the main protagonists, although the crosswinds could change their plans and wreak havoc in the peloton, just like they did at the past editions. A short 9km individual time trial in Ajman shouldn’t have a big impact on the general classification, which will be shaped by the two big climbs of the UAE Tour: Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, the latter featuring on the final stage of the event.
Having won a stage at the Tour of Oman, Mark Cavendish will continue his stint in the Middle East and link up with Olympic Madison Champion Michael Mørkøv, who is set to race the UAE Tour for the fourth consecutive year. The two will be accompanied by Oman runner-up Fausto Masnada, Josef Cerny, Stijn Steels, Stan Van Tricht and Ethan Vernon, who will make his pro debut in a couple of days’ time.
“Mark proved he is in good shape in Oman and we have confidence in him going into the first World Tour event of the season. He will rely on a strong train, with Michael as the last man ready to launch him on the four flat stages. For the overall standings, we’ll look to Fausto, of course; he will have two summit finishes to show again what he is capable of and go for a solid result in the GC. We are also happy to see Ethan in action with the Wolfpack for the first time, and can’t wait to get things started in this race where we always did good”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Geert Van Bondt.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Fausto Masnada 
Josef Černý 