Although the opening stage was a time trial, race rules dictated all riders must use the same standard road bikes for the stage as they will for the remainder of the race.

There are many good reasons for the decision – logistically, it reduces the cost of transporting so much equipment for what is only a four-day race for a start. Furthermore, it is a leveller and allows continental teams such as Sky Dive Dubai and the UAE national team to compete on a slightly more level playing field with their WorldTour opponents.

But what of the spectacle? With the pointed helmets also banned (although there were plenty of aero models on display), some of the unique visual appeal of the time trial – a technical showcase par excellence – was lost.

Although riders strived for every advantage they could get – some riding on the drops, while Tony Martin turned his seat post around – races against the clock, especially on short, pan-flat courses such as the one in Dubai, are in the eyes of some made to be raced on specialist time trial bikes. Man and machine versus man and machine.