Rain falls and the ground hardens. Sunday's opening race of the Tour of Britain took place amidst a yellow weather warning for Aberdeenshire.

First, the bad weather delayed the installation of the necessary hoists at the broadcast facility at the finish line due to high winds, delaying the television coverage by as much as 90 minutes.

In the pouring rain, the peloton briefly went off course just outside Inverurie at the 25 km mark of the 180 km stage between Aberdeen and Glenshee Ski Center. Yet, like a tree falling in the forest, would it really have happened without the TV coverage?

"The organizers sent us the wrong way," said Ineos Grenadiers rider Magnus Sheffield at the finish.

"Luckily, I was able to catch up with them because my front wheel had a flat tire. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with them because my front wheel had just gotten a flat tire.

"It was only three or four hundred meters, but it was really crazy. I was going through the cars and it looked like everyone was really confused."

The delay lasted several minutes, and several racers took a spontaneous rest before resuming the correct path to Glenshee Ski Center, where Corbin Strong (Israel Premier Tech) overtook Omar Freire (Ineos Grenadiers) for the win.

Their teammates, Michael Woods and Tom Pidcock, are among the favorites to win in a competitive field, although the UCI-rated 2.Pro race has clearly fewer World Tourers than in recent years.

Ten teams raced in 2019, but this year there are five. Regulars Jumbo Visma and Quick Step Alpha Vinyl, with past champions Wout Van Alt and Julien Alaphilippe, are notably absent.

Race director Mick Bennett told Cycling News at the start of the first stage in Aberdeen. 'Within five days of the last day of this race there is the World Championships.'

"Brexit won't help. The Dover procession won't help either," he added. All teams crossing to British soil must have their ATA carnet (an international customs document that allows for the temporary importation of goods) stamped. They must be stamped before entering the country. Each professional cycling team coming to Japan is obliged to list and value all goods it brings with it. Most teams bring approximately 40,000 pounds worth of equipment.

Team Qhubeka, a Continental team, had a particularly trying journey. After driving from their base in Italy, their mechanics spent a full day in Dover. 'It's a big, big problem. It was a bit of a challenge to get here," said their director sportif, Simone Antonini.

In addition to a packed fall race schedule, as this race coincides with Canada's WorldTour One-Day Race and the Vuelta a España, the team is especially stretched thin by the COVID-19 positives for riders and staff.

"We can't quadruple the program because the WorldTour team has 24 riders competing in the Vuelta. You have to ask the UCI about that, but that's the main reason," Bennett said.

Nevertheless, the experienced organizer is looking forward to an exciting Tour of Britain. "I think the real decider will be Duncombe Park and Carlton Banks on stage four," Bennett said. I think the real decider will be Duncombe Park and Carlton Banks on stage four.

"I think it's unusual for a team with strong riders like Ineos and Israel to dominate from day one; you have to defend for seven days."

The final stage takes place on the Isle of Wight for the first time in race history, with a short ferry ride before an uphill finish at The Needles. As well as being an exciting conclusion, it is also a test of logistics.

"We've talked a lot about how to manage the Isle of Wight," Bennett said. "I can't believe we're finishing in Needles, where the 1.5km road is 1.4m wide and you can't drive a team car. ......"

Last year's overall competition was.

Last year's overall battle was settled when Wout Van Aert overtook Ethan Hayter to win the final stage to Aberdeen. Bennett said, "That would be great, but I think it will be settled by then, and I hope it is."

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