Team Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish will be one of the big name riders at the Dubai Tour taking place from January 31 to February 4.
After an incredible 2016 season, which began on the road at the Dubai Tour for Cavendish, the African team are back for the fourth edition of this event with the Manx Missile.
The Team Dimension Data riders who will compete in the Dubai Tour. Photo: Supplied
This year the event has grown from four stages to five and the additional stage will be welcomed by their sprint-heavy line-up.
After two stage podium placings last year, Cavendish is eager to test his early-season form.
Bernhard Eisel and Mark Renshaw will start alongside Cavendish, while Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Scott Thwaites, Jay Thomson, Nic Dougall and neo-pro Ryan Gibbons give the team remarkable depth.
As four of the five stages could possibly suit a sprint finish, they will certainly target the top podium spot on several occasions.
Stage four will return to the finishing climb of Hatta Dam but, as was proved last year, the climb is not too difficult for some of the sprinters to limit their losses just enough to remain in contention for the overall classification.
Their fast-finishing Janse van Rensburg showed by winning the Tour de Langkawi last year that he has all the qualities to perform well in this type of finish.
“I am looking forward to finally getting the season started in Dubai. We have a good team here to support Cavendish in the sprints and we are definitely looking forward to some possible victories,” said Van Rensburg.
