UAE Team Emirates rider and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar will again go head-to-head with Adam Yates in this year's UAE Tour
British rider Yates was declared the winner of the 2020 UAE Tour after the race had to be abandoned with two days to go due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Early confirmations for the 2021 race, that will take place from February 21-27, include Yates, Slovenian sensation Pogecar, four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome and UAE Tour debutant Mathieu van der Poel from UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix.
Filippo Ganna, the time-trial ace, also makes his UAE Tour debut along with renowned sprinters suchPascal Ackermann, Fernando Gaviria, Sam Bennett and Caleb Ewan, the stage 2 winner and runner up at the Hatta Dam last year.
According to the UAE Tour organisers Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council and RCS Sport, all 19 UCI WorldTeams have confirmed to riding the one and only WorldTour race in the Middle East.
Yates, who recently joined the British Ineos Grenadiers outfit, will again pit himself against Pogacar.
Last year, Yates took Stage 3 atop Jebel Hafeet but his Slovenian rival was victorious at the same summit finish two stages later before a close finale left a minute and one second between the two riders in the General Classification.
British rider Froome, who recently completed a move to the Israel Start-Up Nation team, will be hoping to begin the new season on a positive note as he continues his comeback from serious injury.
In 2019, Froome crashed into a wall during the Criterium du Dauphine and suffered a fractured pelvis, right femur, broken ribs and a broken right elbow.
He only returned fully to the saddle in last year's UAE Tour and left Team Ineos at the end of the 2020 season.
Away from the GC fight are Ganna who comes on the back of a sensational 2020 season in which he took four stage victories at the Giro d’Italia and an ITT World Champion’s Rainbow Jersey.
Swiss rider Marc Hirschi, who has joined UAE Team Emirates, will also ride the race for the first time.
The 2020 Tour de France stage winner and Road World Championship Bronze medalist will be keen to impress after signing for the host team in the New Year.
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Gallery: Stage 2 of 2020 UAE Tour
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Caleb Ewan approaches the finish line to win Stage 2 of the 2020 UAE Tour. Satish Kumar / For the National -
Riders head for the finish line on Monday. Satish Kumar / For the National -
Riders cross the finish line in Hatta. Satish Kumar / For the National -
Caleb Ewan after winning Stage 2. Satish Kumar / For the National -
Riders cross the finish line in Hatta. Satish Kumar / For the National -
Caleb Ewan crosses the finish line. Satish Kumar / For the National -
The peloton during Stage 2 of the UAE Tour. AFP -
Riders after the finish on Stage 2 . Satish Kumar / For the National -
Caleb Ewan, of Soudal Lotto, celebrates victory. Satish Kumar / For the National -
The peloton during Stage 2 of the UAE Tour. AFP -
Caleb Ewan crosses the finish line. AFP -
Chris Froome, of Team Ineos, before Stage 2. AFP
