With the UAE Tour's 12.2km individual time trial not following the typical format, in which the reverse of the general classification determines the starting order, world champion Remco Evenepoel will start fifth at 12:54, two hours and 20 minutes after stage 1's race leader, Isaac del Toro.
It was 1-0 to the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man after the opening day to Liwa Palace, as he hit out bravely on the uphill finish and outlasted the chasing pack of sprinters to move into the overall lead and take an early 10-second advantage over Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe's new star, Evenepoel.
