Taylor made

Criticising a race in its inaugural edition is unfair, and while the organisers are to be congratulated for a smoothly-run event that attracted the best riders in the world, there is room to improve the racing at the Dubai Tour, notably by changing the structure of the race from one that allows a strong time trialist to establish an unassailable lead on the opening stage and focus solely on keeping out of trouble for the remainder of the race. BMC Racing’s Taylor Phinney can hardly be criticised for doing just that, but the manner of his victory is one that engenders respect rather than admiration.

Will next year’s race be different? Scrapping the time trial, or moving it to the final stage, might improve the spectacle, and at least place the result in doubt until the final day. And for a nation capable of building the world’s tallest building and placing a ski slope in a shopping mall, a mountain stage this time next year is not entirely inconceivable.