The prestigious UAE Tour 2026, the Middle East’s sole UCI WorldTour cycling event, launches its eighth edition on Tuesday from Al Dhafra Region. This premier competition will showcase 145 elite athletes representing 21 international teams across a demanding seven-stage course spanning 1,004.2 kilometers, concluding on February 22nd.
Under the organizational leadership of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and with sponsorship from AD Ports Group, the race features diverse terrain including mountain ascents, desert tracks, and urban circuits. The route strategically highlights both emerging landmarks and scenic natural landscapes throughout the Emirates.
The competition commences with Stage One, sponsored by Bin Hamoodah Auto, tracing a 144-kilometer path from Madinat Zayed Council to Liwa Fort in Al Dhafra Region. This opening segment sets the tone for a week of intense professional cycling competition.
A recent press conference at Al Hudayriyat Island’s Colnago Store gathered key stakeholders including Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi (Assistant Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council) and Talal Al Hashemi (Executive Director of the Events Sector). The event featured five prominent riders who expressed their competitive readiness: Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe), Isaac del Toro (UAE Team XRG), Jonathan Milan (Lidl Trek), Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers), and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Intermarché).
Del Toro, recognized as an exceptional emerging talent following his 2023 Tour de l’Avenir victory and subsequent signing with UAE Team, joins other world-class competitors in what promises to be a highly contested edition of the UAE’s flagship cycling event.