Al dhafra: The eighth edition of the UAE Tour 2026, the sole UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East, is set to commence tomorrow in the Al Dhafra Region. The event will feature 145 elite cyclists representing 21 international teams, marking a significant gathering of global cycling talent.
According to Emirates News Agency, the race is organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by AD Ports Group. It will span seven stages, covering a total distance of 1,004.2 kilometers, and will conclude on February 22nd. A press conference was recently held at the Colnago Store on Al Hudayriyat Island, featuring key figures such as Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at the council. The event was attended by numerous representatives of partners and sponsors, alongside five leading riders who shared their aspirations and preparedness for the tour.
The lineup of riders includes notable names such as Remco Evenepoel from Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, Isaac del Toro from UAE Team XRG, Jonathan Milan from Lidl Trek, Joshua Tarling from Ineos Grenadiers, and Lennert Van Eetvelt from Lotto Intermarch©. They have all expressed their readiness to compete in this prestigious event.
The race stages, sponsored by AD Ports Group, present varied routes featuring mountain climbs, desert paths, and urban roads. Participants will traverse new landmarks and scenic natural locations throughout the UAE. The initial stage will start from Madinat Zayed Council in Al Dhafra Region and conclude at Liwa Fort, covering 144 kilometers, sponsored by Bin Hamoodah Auto.
Subsequent stages include an individual time trial on Al Hudayriyat Island over 12.2 kilometers, sponsored by Breitling, and a 183-kilometer route from Umm Al Qaiwain to Jebel Mobrah in Ras Al Khaimah, sponsored by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The Fujairah stage, sponsored by Palms Sports, will cover 182 kilometers. Dubai will host Stage 5, spanning 166 kilometers from Al Mamzar to Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, sponsored by Dubai Sports Council. The penultimate stage in Al Ain will run from Al Ain Museum to Jebel Hafeet, covering 168 kilometers, sponsored by Burjeel Holdings. The tour will conclude in Abu Dhabi City, with a final stage from Zayed National Museum to Breakwater, covering 149 kilometers, sponsored by AD Ports Group.
The 21 teams participating include Alpecin-Deceuninck, Bahrain Victorious, Decathlon CMA CGM, EF Education-EasyPost, Groupama-FDJ, Ineos Grenadiers, Lidl-Trek, Lotto Intermarch©, Modern Adventure Pro, Movistar, NSN, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, Soudal Quick-Step, Jayco AlUla, Team Picnic PostNL, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Tudor Pro Cycling Team, UAE Team XRG, Uno-X Mobility, and XDS Astana Team.
The race will feature leader jerseys: the Red Jersey for the overall leader, sponsored by AD Ports Group; the Green Jersey for the points classification leader, sponsored by Mubadala; the White Jersey for the best young rider (under 25), sponsored by Burjeel Holdings; and the Black Jersey for the intermediate sprints classification leader, sponsored by Aldar.
The event will utilize the Velon system to track rider data in real-time, providing speed, power, and cadence information to live broadcasts and digital platforms. Velon will also supply footage from bicycle-mounted cameras and use an advanced tracking system to enhance rider safety by monitoring their locations and issuing instant alerts in case of emergencies.
Talal Al Hashemi has confirmed the complete readiness for the launch of this global event from Abu Dhabi, with strategic partners providing all necessary support to ensure the success of the current edition. He expressed gratitude to all work teams for their ongoing efforts and continuous monitoring.