Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE Tour in cycling for men and women has announced its 2026 season dates while presenting jersey sponsors along with an update of it elevated status on the world stage. The details were shared at a news conference at the Zayed National Museum on Monday.
It was an apt choice for a modern venue looking back in time for an event which has now matured with its own history after merging the Abu Dhabi Tour and the Dubai Tour in 2019.
Starting this year, the event gains impetus with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group coming on board as the main sponsor partner for three years until the 2028 edition.
Classification jerseys will also be supported by leading UAE entities: Mubadala for the green jersey (points classification race), Aldar for the black jersey (intermediate sprint), and Burjeel Holdings for the white jersey awarded to the best young rider under 23.
Conducted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the UAE Tour Women will take place first from February 5-8, followed by the UAE Tour Men from February 16-22. Both races are part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour and WorldTour calendars and will feature elite international participation – 20 teams in the women’s event and 21 in the men’s.
The world body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has also upgraded the UAE Tour for men and women in its points classification, elevating the races to the same tier as major global multi-stage events such as the Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico. Starting with the 2026 editions, winners of the general classification in both tours will earn 500 UCI points.
The upgrade underlines the fact that the UAE Tour is no longer just a warm-up event before the Grand Tours. Among the prime examples are both local favourites and world champions. The women’s Team ADQ lead rider Elisa Longo Borghini’s is the defending champion, who went on to add the Giro d’Italia title last year to her UAE crown. Men’s world champion and four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar’s “unbeatable” season in 2025 serves as the gold standard for how a strong showing in February sets the tone for a historic Triple Crown pursuit.
Then there are others including Jonathan Milan, the winner of the green jersey in the UAE, who finished fourth at the showpiece Tour de France. Further details on participating teams and riders will be announced closer to the race dates.
The women’s race will cover 533 kilometres across four stages. It begins at Al Mugheirah Walkway in Al Dhafra and finishes at Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, with intermediate stages in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The men’s edition spans 1,004.2 kilometres over seven stages, including a 12.2-kilometre individual time trial on Al Hudayriat Island and mountain finishes at Jebel Mebrah in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet.
Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the ADSC, said: “The organisation of the UAE Tour Women and Men in cooperation with the UCI reflects the confidence placed in the UAE’s capabilities and highlights the prominent position of the two races on the international cycling calendar. The upgrade in points classification is an achievement that strengthens the event’s global standing.”
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, added: “AD Ports Group firmly believes in the power of sport as a catalyst for positive societal impact and stronger community bonds. Our sponsorship of the UAE Tour aligns with the vision of our leadership to promote public health and a culture of sport.”
