The second WorldTour stage race of the season kicks off this weekend with the UAE Tour. The week-long event provides a world-class field with three up-hill finishes and a number of opportunities for the sprinters. It’s no surprise that so many sprinters have made the journey to the Middle East with Pascal Ackermann, Dylan Groenewegen, Mark Cavendish, Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett and Fernando Gaviria all on the startlist.

 In our first podcast episode from the race we sit down with Ewan, and talk about leadership, pressure, his season so far, and how he sees the sprints going as the week progresses. The Australian is certainly a firm favourite at the race after taking a stage here last year.

 Our presenters – Daniel Benson and Sophie Smith – also hear from Chris Froome, who arrives at the race having not competed since his career-threatening crash at last year’s Criterium du Dauphine in France. Froome has spent the last eight months in recovery and rehab and admits that he’s still not over his injuries. In our recording he opens up about his hopes for the coming weeks and his condition heading into his first race of the year.

Finally, we catch up with Froome’s team director, Matteo Tosatto.

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Our latest competition gives you the chance to win one of two musettes. We have one from Katusha Alpecin that’s stuffed with goodies and kit from last year, while we also have a similar prize for BMC Racing fans. Can you tell we’ve recently moved offices and need to clear some space?

 All you have to do to win these fantastic prizes is head to our Itunes page, give us a review and post your top three kits for 2020 (men’s or women’s). We’ll announce the winners in the next couple of weeks. 

This podcast was brought to you by Sportful and Floyds of Leadville.

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