The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the third edition of the UAE Tour have been announced. The UAE Tour race organisers, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council and RCS Sport have confirmed that this year’s race will feature four sprinters’ stages, two stages best suited to the peloton’s climbers and a 13km long, high-speed individual time trial.
As the only WorldTour race in the Middle East, the UAE Tour will take place from February 21-17, and cover a total of 1045km, with an elevation gain of around 3500m metres, mostly concentrated into Stages 3 and 5.
The route will cross five of the seven independent city-states that form the United Arab Emirates, with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah all playing host to the race.
Cycling fans can look forward to watching a strong field of riders compete this year, with a series of big names already announced. This includes 2020 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, last year’s UAE Tour Red Jersey Adam Yates and multiple Grand Tour victor Chris Froome.
ITT World Champion Filippo Ganna and Mathieu van der Poel have also confirmed their attendance, alongside a host of world-class sprinters made up of Tour de France Green Jersey winner Sam Bennett, as well as Caleb Ewan, Pascal Ackermann and Fernando Gaviria among others.
The official race jerseys will be provided by Italian brand, Alé. Sponsored by ADNOC, the red jersey, for general classification, will be worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the general classification by time.
The green jersey for the sprinters is sponsored by Etisalat. The young rider classification will be marked by the white jersey, sponsored by Nakheel. The black jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Aviation, is for the intermediate sprint classification. It will be worn by the rider who has gained more intermediate sprint points than any other rider.
Alongside the ‘top sponsors’ of the four jerseys (ADNOC, Etisalat, Nakheel, Abu Dhabi Aviation), a number of sponsors are on-board with this year’s race:
- Official car sponsor, Audi Al Nabooda;
- Official jersey partner, Alé; and
- Offical timekeeper, Breitling.
Other brands supporting the 2021 UAE Tour include: host broadcaster, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Dubai Sports, as well as Tadweer, Anghami, Shimano, Bianchi, Hansgroe, Al Ain Water and Hertz.
Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said “2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates and the third edition of the UAE Tour. This race is not just the one and only WorldTour event in the Middle East but the result of years of effort, passion and commitment from many people in our country.
“As the world is watching, we are poised to deliver another world-class sporting spectacle which will contribute to the development of cycling across the Emirates while promoting our unique territory.”
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General Dubai Sports Council, said “First, we would like to welcome our new partners and show our appreciation for continuing their association with this prestigious sporting event.
“Hosting the UAE Tour this year, in these challenging times, with all 19 UCI World Teams taking part, is a testimony to our success as a nation in the fight against COVID-19, and a vote of confidence in UAE’s ability to host top international sporting events in a completely safe environment.
“The health and safety of our guests – the riders, team and race officials, as well as fans – is our top priority, and the routes and stages for 2021 UAE Tour have been decided with those concerns in mind. At the same time, the new routes will showcase different regions of the country to the world, and I am confident the riders will enjoy every aspect of this brand new edition of UAE Tour.”
