United Arab Emirates 16 Feb – 22 Feb 2026 Class 2.UWT – Stages – UCI WorldTour
Website www.theuaetour.com
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The 2026 UAE Tour (2.UWT) kicked off on February 16, 2026. This 8th edition of the race is particularly significant due to a major shake-up in the traditional route and some high-profile roster changes.
📅 Stage 1 Report: Madinat Zayed Majlis to Liwa Palace (144km)
As we speak, the peloton is tackling the opening stage.
- The Route: The stage finishes with the signature uphill drag to Liwa Palace. It features a selective section around the Moreeb Dune with gradients hitting 5% in the final kilometers.
- The Conditions: Early reports from the road indicate a strong northwestern breeze (approx. 35–40 km/h). While fans were hoping for “echelon carnage,” a tailwind component has kept the bunch relatively compact for now, though tensions are high.
- Jury Update: The stage was slightly shortened to 118km following a jury communication regarding the cycle track section.
🗺️ 2026 Route Highlightsand what’s new?
The big news for 2026 is the removal of the Jebel Jais climb, replaced by a brutal newcomer.
| Stage | Type | Finish / Key Feature |
| Stage 1 | Flat/Uphill | Liwa Palace (Uphill sprint) |
| Stage 2 | ITT | Al Hudayriyat Island (12.2km flat time trial) |
| Stage 3 | Mountain | Jebel Mobrah (The “New Angliru”: 15km @ 7%, final 6km @ 12%) |
| Stage 4 | Sprint | Fujairah |
| Stage 5 | Sprint | Dubai (Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University) |
| Stage 6 | Mountain | Jebel Hafeet (The classic GC decider) |
| Stage 7 | Sprint | Abu Dhabi Breakwater |
🏆 Who are the Favorites & Absences?
The 2026 edition has seen a reshuffling of the “Big Six”:
- The Lead Favorite: Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) is the man to beat. This is his second major race for his new team after winning in Valencia.
- The Home Hero: Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) is spearheading the home team’s efforts in the absence of Tadej Pogačar.
- The Sprinter to Watch: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) won on this exact Liwa finish in 2025 and is the heavy favorite for today’s stage.
- Notable DNS: Tadej Pogačar is skipping the race this year to focus on a different spring build-up, and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) unfortunately withdrew just before the start.
Is there a leader in the UAE Tour 2026 for Tudor Pro Cycling Team?
As of February 21, 2026, the UAE Tour is currently underway, and Tudor Pro Cycling Team has a clear leader emerging in the General Classification (GC).
While Michael Storer started the race as the team’s designated leader for the mountain stages, young rider Mathys Rondel has currently outperformed expectations to become their top-placed rider.
Tudor Pro Cycling Standings (Current Status)
| Rider | GC Rank | Gap to Leader | Role/Performance |
| Mathys Rondel | 12th | +1:57 | Emerged as the team’s best climber on Jebel Mobrah. |
| Michael Storer | 13th | +2:02 | The veteran leader; remains within 5 seconds of Rondel. |
| Hannes Wilksch | 53rd | +11:19 | Key support in the mountains. |
| Arthur Kluckers | 95th | +18:29 | Working in support and lead-out for the sprinters. |
Key Takeaways for the Team
- The GC Battle: After the Stage 3 finish at Jebel Mobrah, the race leader is Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious). Tudor has both Rondel and Storer hovering just outside the top 10. They will look to break into that top 10 on the final decisive climb of Jebel Hafeet (Stage 7).
- Arthur Kluckers’ Role: In this specific race, Kluckers has primarily been serving as a domestique (support rider), helping to protect Storer and Rondel from crosswinds and positioning the team’s sprinters for the flat finishes.
- Mathys Rondel’s Rise: Rondel is a 22-year-old French talent. His performance here is significant as he is currently ahead of several established WorldTour stars like Adam Yates and Remco Evenepoel (who cracked on Stage 3).
🚺 Women’s Edition Recap
The UAE Tour Women concluded last week (Feb 5–8). Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) successfully defended her title, winning the overall GC for the third consecutive year after a dominant display on Jebel Hafeet.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The UAE Tour (2.UWT) is the only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East. While it is a relatively young event, it has quickly become a cornerstone of the early-season professional cycling calendar, serving as a prestigious battleground for both the world’s best sprinters and elite GC (General Classification) contenders.
🏗️ The Merger (2019)
The UAE Tour was born from the unification of two separate races:
- The Dubai Tour (est. 2014) – Known for its flat, sprinter-friendly urban stages.
- The Abu Dhabi Tour (est. 2015) – Featured a mix of flat roads and the iconic Jebel Hafeet climb.
In 2019, organizers (RCS Sport and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council) merged the two to create a week-long, seven-stage race that spans all seven Emirates. This consolidation allowed the race to secure UCI WorldTour status immediately, ensuring the participation of all top-tier professional teams.
🏔️ The Defining Climbs
While much of the race traverses flat desert roads—often plagued by tactical “echelons” caused by high crosswinds—the overall victory is almost always decided on two legendary climbs:
- Jebel Hafeet: A 10.8km ascent with an average gradient of 7%. It is a wide, highway-like road that offers no shade and punishing heat.
- Jebel Jais: A longer, shallower climb (approx. 20km at 5%) that often favors a “power climber” or a reduced group sprint.
🏆 General Classification History
The race has been dominated by some of the biggest names in the sport, most notably Tadej Pogačar, who treats the race as a “home” event for his team, UAE Team Emirates.
| Year | Winner | Team | Key Note |
| 2019 | Primož Roglič | Jumbo-Visma | The inaugural winner. |
| 2020 | Adam Yates | Mitchelton-Scott | Cut short by two stages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2021 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | Pogačar’s first win on home soil. |
| 2022 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | Defended his title in a battle with Adam Yates. |
| 2023 | Remco Evenepoel | Soudal-QuickStep | A dominant performance by the World Champion. |
| 2024 | Lennert Van Eetvelt | Lotto-Dstny | A surprise victory by the young Belgian on the final day. |
| 2025 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | Reclaimed his “throne” with a masterclass on Jebel Hafeet. |
🚴 The “Sprinter’s World Championship”
Because of the flat terrain and wide roads, the UAE Tour attracts the deepest field of sprinters of any race outside the Tour de France. Legends like Mark Cavendish, Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett, and Tim Merlier (who holds the record for most stage wins with 7) have made the race the premier destination for lead-out trains to test their speed.
🚺 Expansion: UAE Tour Women
In 2023, the race expanded to include a women’s event (UCI Women’s WorldTour). It has been dominated by Elisa Longo Borghini, who won the inaugural edition in 2023 and successfully defended her title in 2025 and 2026.
What means cycling in the Middle East?
In the Middle East, cycling is currently undergoing a massive transformation. What was once seen primarily as a sport for children or a necessity for low-income workers is now a symbol of luxury, high-performance fitness, and urban sustainability.
The meaning of cycling changes depending on where you are and who you ask, but it generally falls into three categories:
1. A High-End Lifestyle & Sport (The Gulf)
In countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, cycling has become “the new golf.” It is a prestige activity supported by massive government investment.
- Status Symbol: In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it is common to see enthusiasts on carbon-fiber road bikes worth over $10,000, riding in coordinated team kits.
- World-Class Infrastructure: Massive “cyclist-only” tracks like Al Qudra in Dubai (over 100km of desert track) or Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi provide a safe, car-free environment.
- Professional Hub: The region now hosts major UCI WorldTour events like the UAE Tour and the AlUla Tour, making the Middle East a legitimate center for global professional cycling.
2. A Tool for Urban Reform (The Levant & Egypt)
In more densely populated, historic cities like Beirut, Cairo, and Tehran, cycling is often an act of “urban rebellion” against crippling traffic and pollution.
- Eco-Activism: Cycling groups in Cairo and Beirut use the bike to promote environmental awareness and reclaim streets from heavy car congestion.
- The “Last Mile”: It is increasingly viewed as a solution for “first and last mile” transport—getting people from their homes to a metro station or office without needing a car.
- Social Barriers: In some of these regions, cycling still carries a social stigma associated with poverty, though this is rapidly changing as young, middle-class “cycling communities” grow.
3. A Gender & Cultural Frontier
Cycling is also a medium for social change, particularly regarding women’s rights and visibility.
- Inclusivity: In Saudi Arabia, women’s cycling has expanded significantly under Vision 2030, with new female-only groups and dedicated times at tracks.
- Challenges: In some conservative areas, women cycling can still be a point of cultural friction, but the rise of “cycling for all” initiatives is slowly normalizing it as a healthy, gender-neutral activity.
Key Challenges in the Region
Despite the boom, two major hurdles remain:
- The Heat: During summer, temperatures often exceed 45°C, making daytime cycling impossible. This has birthed a unique culture of night riding and indoor cycling “academies.”
- Car Culture: Outside of dedicated tracks, many Middle Eastern cities are designed for cars, with high-speed highways that can make street commuting feel dangerous.
Is there an Opportunity for Gran Fondo in the Middle East?
Yes, there is a massive opportunity for Gran Fondo enthusiasts in the Middle East. The region has become a premier destination for amateur cyclists due to its ultra-smooth tarmac, safe dedicated tracks, and perfectly timed winter weather.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the current leader in this space, hosting events that double as qualifiers for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
📅 Key Gran Fondo Events in the Middle East (2026)
| Event | Date | Location | Description |
| Spinneys Dubai 92 | Feb 15, 2026 | Dubai, UAE | The biggest mass-participation event in the region (~1,700 riders). It is a UCI World Series Qualifier. |
| Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo | Dec 2026* | Abu Dhabi, UAE | A high-stakes race (150km) from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi with a massive AED 2 million prize pool. |
| Gran Fondo Jordan | Jan/Feb 2026 | Dead Sea, Jordan | A unique stage-race format (~155km) featuring significant elevation and riding at the lowest point on Earth. |
| L’Etape Dubai | Jan 25, 2026 | Dubai, UAE | Part of the “L’Etape by Tour de France” series, offering an amateur experience designed to feel like a pro stage. |
| Cyprus Gran Fondo | Apr 3–5, 2026 | Paphos, Cyprus | Technically nearby, this is a popular 3-day “Cycling for All” event and a major UCI qualifier. |
Note: While the 2025 date is confirmed for Dec 21, the 2026 edition typically follows the same December schedule.
🚀 Why the Middle East is an “Opportunity”
1. Qualification for the World Championships
The Spinneys Dubai 92 is one of the few places in the world where you can qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships (the 2026 finals will be in Niseko, Japan) in a flat, fast environment. If you aren’t a climber, this is your best chance to secure a top 25% finish in your age group.
2. Elite Road Quality
Unlike many European Gran Fondos where you might deal with potholes or narrow mountain passes, Middle Eastern events typically use wide, multi-lane highways that are completely closed to traffic. It feels like riding on a private circuit.
3. The “Winter” Training Ground
While Europe and North America are under snow, February in the Middle East offers temperatures between 18°C and 25°C—the absolute “Goldilocks” zone for long-distance endurance riding.
4. Prize Money
The Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo is famous for its inclusivity; they don’t just reward the pros. There are hundreds of prizes across various age categories and amateur “waves,” making it one of the most financially rewarding amateur races globally.
💡 Pro-Tip for Visiting Riders
If you are flying in, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are incredibly bike-friendly in terms of logistics. You can rent high-end carbon bikes (Colnago, Specialized, Trek) at shops like Wolfi’s or The Cycle Hub, so you don’t necessarily have to fly with your own bike.
