Spin Cycle is Escape Collective’s news digest, published every Monday and Friday. You can read it on the website (obviously) or click here to have it delivered straight to your inbox.
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Welcome back to Spin Cycle.
It’s a good news, bad news sort of week. Good news and bad news for Fernando Gaviria as he gets a fresh contract but also appears in court. Good news and bad news for Tim Merlier as his reporting chops are confirmed but it turns out he’ll have two climbs in his way at the 2028 Worlds. And good news and bad news for Wout van Aert, as he gets himself on another TV game show but falls at the first hurdle.
Tim Merlier was right ✅
Remember Tim Merlier’s exclusive reporting that the UAE was building climbing routes for the 2028 Road World Championships? Seems he was right!
Spanish newspaper Marca did some digging and found out the United Arab Emirates are indeed constructing not just one, but two climbs for the Worlds to give the likes of Pogačar (or any of the UAE Team Emirates’ star riders, none of whom are sprinters) a chance of taking the rainbow jersey on its soil.
Construction of the Al Wathba Hill began two years ago and will be a 2km climb with an average gradient of 6 per cent, peaking at 11 per cent in the final 500 metres.
The camels can’t believe it …
Yes, probably not enough for a devastating Pogačar attack that leaves everyone behind, but the UAE has more. Another climb is being built in Hudayriyat that will be 4km long, an average gradient of 6.5 per cent and a final kilometre with an average of 11 per cent.
While they’re at it, what about constructing the first ever loop de loop in a road race? Come on UAE, let’s dream even bigger!
The (eternal second) smartest person in the world 🎻
Yes, this is a picture of Wout van Aert playing the violin.
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