CORRINGHAM cyclist Daniel Patten admits he faces his toughest challenge on two wheels when he starts the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour tomorrow.

The Team Wiggins rider will face some of the biggest names of the sport in the four-day race, including new world champion Peter Sagan and Vuelta a Espana winner Fabio Aru.

Patten, who classes himself as an all-rounder, flew out to Abu Dhabi on Monday and will tackle three flat stages and a mountain stage, with a gruelling 555 kilometres covered in total.

And Patten says to lead the team will give him the chance to show what he can do.

“We knew a couple of weeks ago the race was on the cards and to be riding it as the lead rider is very exciting,” he said. “Some of the team, Brad (Wiggins) included, are concentrating on the track training in preparation for the Rio Olympics and that has given some of the other guys a chance to focus on races like this.

“It is a new race and the last race of the season as well. It will be the biggest challenge I have faced but I am so excited to get underway. Some of the best riders and teams in the world are taking part so I am relishing the challenge. This is just the chance I have been looking for.

“It would be great to get into a points jersey or mountains jersey for a day. That would be a big achievement for us. If I can get my name out there, as well as the team’s, and get in some breakaways then who knows what could happen. We have nothing to lose and will give it everything.”

Patten has hit form in recent wins, taking victories in the Peterborough Cycling Club road race and Victor Berlemont road race, after illness saw him laid low in the first half of the season.

And he said it was incredibly frustrating, as he yearned to get back on the bike, although he is looking forward to tackling temperatures up to 40C.

“I was held back almost three months as I had some problems with my immune system but now I am back I don’t think I could be in better shape for this event,” he said.

“I have been able to get some wins and podium as well so I feel good. The weather is something that will take a bit of getting used to but there are a lot of Europeans who will be in the same boat.

“But I have always fared fairly well in these temperatures so I don’t think it will be that problematic.”

 

WATCH IT

To see how Daniel Patten fares in the Middle East, tune into British Eurosport, beginning at 12.15pm tomorrow