The finest teams and riders in the world will be arriving in the country this week for the 2025 UAE Tour.
Ahead of the race that begins at Shams Solar Power Station near Madinat Zayed on Monday, here is everything you need to know.
What is it?
The UAE Tour is an annual professional road cycling stage race that is part of the UCI World Tour that includes 36 events across the globe throughout the season.
The UAE race is the third race of the season, contested over seven days and stages in what is the seventh edition of the event.
When is it?
The 2025 race starts with Stage 1 on Monday, February 17, before concluding on Sunday, February 23, with the seventh and final stage when the winner will be crowned.
What is the race route?
The route crosses much of the UAE and spans 1,013.2km. There will be four flat stages, two mountain stages and one individual time trial.
Monday, February 17: Stage 1: Shams Solar Power Station Stage (138km, sprint) – Shams Solar Power Station near Madinat Zayed to Liwa Palace.
Tuesday, February 18: Stage 2: Tudor Stage (12.2km, individual time trial) – Hudayriyat Island.
Wednesday, February 19: Stage 3: Ras Tourism Development Authority Stage (181km, mountain) – Ras Al Khaimah to Jebel Jais.
Thursday, February 20: Stage 4: Taqa Stage (181km, sprint) – Fujairah Qidfa Beach to Umm Al Quwain.
Friday, February 21: Stage 5: Dubai Sports Council Stage (160km, sprint) – American University in Dubai to Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University.
Saturday, February 22: Stage 6: Modon Stage (165km, sprint) – Abu Dhabi Cycling Club to Abu Dhabi Breakwater.
Sunday, February 23: Stage 7: Burjeel Stage (176km, mountain) – Al Ain Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium to Jebel Hafeet.
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Will there be any road closures while the race is on?
Yes, there will be some disruption throughout the race. To see how the road closures may affect your travel plans, refer to the gallery above.
Which teams and riders are competing?
There will be 15 UCI world teams taking part and five UCI pro teams.
Triple crown winner Tadej Pogacar will be leading the way for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, with the Slovenian making his first appearance at the race since he retained the title in 2022.
Reigning champion Lennart Van Eetvel is returning to defend his crown, while Michael Storer, who finished fourth overall in 2024, is also one to watch.
European champion and five-time stage winner Tim Merlier is among a strong sprinting line-up that also includes the likes of Olav Kooij, Dylan Groenewegen and Jonathan Milan.
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Lotto-DSTNY's Belgian cyclist Lennert Van Eetvelt celebrates after winning the general classification in the 6th UAE Tour after his victory in Stage 7 on Jebel Hafeet on February 25, 2024. AFP -
Lotto-DSTNY's Lennert Van Eetvelt celebrates with the trophy after winning the UAE Tour. AFP -
Lotto-DSTNY's Lennert Van Eetvelt reacts after winning the 7th and final stage of the UAE Tour to claim overall victory. AFP -
Lotto-DSTNY's Belgian cyclist Lennert Van Eetvelt after crossing the finish line to win the 7th Stage of the UAE Tour. AFP -
Stage 7 winner Lennert Van Eetvelt, centre, with Pello Bilbao, right, who finished second, and Ben O'Connor, who was third. AFP -
UAE Team Emirates' Australian cyclist Jay Vine after he finished 22nd in Stage 7. AFP -
UAE Team Emirates' Australian cyclist Jay Vine at the end of the race. AFP
Who are the past winners?
2019: Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma) Slovenia
2020: Adam Yates (Mitchelton–Scott) UK
2021: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) Slovenia
2022: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) Slovenia
2023: Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) Belgium
2024: Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto – Dstny) Belgium
What do the coloured jerseys mean?
Red Jersey, general classification: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the general classification by time.
Green Jersey, points classification: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey, young rider classification: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider (U25) in the overall classification by time.
Black Jersey, intermediate sprint classification: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained more intermediate sprint points than any other rider.
Is the UAE Tour on television?
The entire race will be shown live on Abu Dhabi Sports and Dubai Sports.
