Abu dhabi: With the conclusion of Paris-Roubaix, cycling enthusiasts are shifting their focus to the stage racing calendar, particularly the prestigious O Gran Cami±o. In its fifth edition, the Spanish stage race will welcome UAE Team Emirates-XRG for the first time, with Adam Yates leading the roster.
According to Emirates News Agency, the team will be bolstered by two promising Emirati cyclists, Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali and Mohammad Almutaiwei, who join Yates alongside the experienced WorldTour riders Julius Johansen, Vegard Stake Laengen, and Kevin Vermaerke. Al-Ali and Almutaiwei enter the race as the newly crowned national champions of the UAE, after recent victories in the time trial and road race disciplines, respectively.
The duo aims to gain significant experience by competing in Galicia and will provide crucial support to their teammates during the event. The challenging race begins on April 14, featuring a mix of terrain including a Queen stage and a short individual time trial at the outset.
The opening 15km ITT, starting in A Coru±a, concludes at the historic Torre de H©rcules. Stage 2 from Vilalba to Barreiros includes a series of climbs in its final 25km, favoring riders with a knack for punchy finishes. Stage 3 continues with similar terrain from Carballo to Padr³n, setting the stage for the climactic Queen stage.
Stage 4, the race's most demanding segment, stretches 145.7km from Xinzo de Limia to the Alto Cabeza de Meda, featuring nearly 3,000m of climbing concentrated in the final 60km, presenting a formidable challenge for the peloton.