Fernando Gaviria's Tour of the UAE did not get off to the start he and his local team had hoped for in the first stage, but the Colombian rider was adamant that his form was still top-notch and that he had many chances to turn the race around.

Gaviria crossed the Dubai Silicon Oasis in 20th place. In the most closely watched sprint race of the season, he finished behind winner Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Gaviria joins some of the world's best sprinters such as Dylan Groenewegen, Caleb Yuan, and Sam Bennett in the UAE Tour.After finishing 2019 in better form and winning three stages at the Vuelta a San Juan in January, much was expected of Gaviria There were.

However, he was boxed in on the first stage here in the Middle East, and although disappointed with the result, he told Cycling News that his condition was still good enough to win.

"The team is great. But yesterday was nothing special. That's cycling and that happens. It was a really complicated finish and it was a bit of a roundabout at the end, but that's okay. I'm feeling good and really happy with my performance.

"We'll see what happens in the next few races. There are a lot of opportunities left in the race and I will try a few more things."

The UAE Tour will be the second time Gaviria has teamed up with his preferred lead-out man, Max Riches. The two ran together on Quick Step until Gaviria signed with UAE Team Emirates in early 2019.

Gaviria had hoped Richeze would join him in his debut season with his new team, but Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere did not want to let the Argentinean rider go and the two riders would have to wait a full year before they could race for the same team again The two riders had to wait a full year before they were able to race for the same team again.

According to Gaviria, injuries and illnesses made the main race in 2019 tough, but the UAE's willingness to sign Richeze was a sign of their strong confidence in the pair to deliver results.

"I can't believe I get to work with Max again. The team signed him to help me and it shows a great deal of trust. He's always been a good guy."

Stages 2, 3, and 5 of the UAE Tour are destined to be decided by the climbers and GC riders, and Gaviria's next chance to win will come on stage 4.