The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the fourth edition of the UAE Tour have been announced. The UAE Tour race organiser, Abu Dhabi Sports Council has confirmed that this year’s edition of the race will feature four sprinters’ stages, two mountain stages and a 9km long individual time trial.
Organised in collaboration with RCS Sport, the only WorldTour race in the Middle East, the UAE Tour, is set to kick-start the 2022 UCI WorldTour calendar with 1081km of racing across seven stages from 20-26 February.
The race, which crosses a diverse mix of landscapes, will feature an elevation gain of 3500m, almost all of which is concentrated in Stages 4 and 7.
Now in its fourth edition, this year’s tour coincides with another significant event for the Emirates – Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region taking place 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and which will host the start of Stage 6.
2022 UAE Tour stages:
- Stage 1 – Al Ain Water Stage – Madinat Zayed – Madinat Zayed (185km)
- Stage 2 – International Holding Company Stage – Hudayriyat Island – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (173km)
- Stage 3 – G42 Stage presented by Tissot – Ajman ITT (9km)
- Stage 4 – Burjeel Medical City Stage – Fujairah Fort – Jebel Jais (181km)
- Stage 5 – Marjan Stage – Ras al Khaimah Corniche – Al Marjan Island (182km)
- Stage 6 – Expo 2020 Dubai Stage – Expo 2020 Dubai – Expo 2020 Dubai (180km)
- Stage 7 – Mubadala Stage – Al Ain – Jebel Hafeet (148km)
The official race jerseys will be provided by Italian brand, Alé.
Red Jersey
- General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
- Sponsor: International Holding Company
- Design: features Qasr Al Hosn
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.
- Sponsor: Italian Trade Agency (ICE)
- Design: Features landmarks of Italy such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome Colosseum, Venice and Milan Cathedral
White Jersey
- Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider (U25) in the overall classification by time.
- Sponsor: Nakheel
- Design: Features the Palm Jumeirah
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.
- Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Aviation
- Design: Features Abu Dhabi Aviation’s helicopter following the UAE Tour peloton
Official sponsors
Alongside the sponsors of the four jerseys (International Holding Company, Italian Trade Agency (ICE), Nakheel and Abu Dhabi Aviation) a number of other sponsors are also on board with the event:
- Host broadcasters Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Dubai Sports Channel,
- Official timekeeper Tissot,
- Official eyewear Oakley,
- Official medical service partner Burjeel,
- Official stage sponsors, Al Ain Water, International Holding Company, G42, Burjeel Medical, Marjan, Dubai Sports Council, and stage sponsor and national partner Mubadala.
- Official stage partners Dubai Silicon Oasis, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Official Partners G42, Daman and Tadweer and official suppliers Al Ain Water, Shimano, Colnago and Segafredo.
Fabrizio d’Amico, RCS Sports and Events DMCC Chief Operating Officer. said “I would like to start with acknowledging and praising the effort and commitment to the UAE Tour by the leadership of the country, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and all of our stakeholders who have contributed to making the fourth edition of the one and only WorldTour race in the Middle East possible.
“For the second consecutive year we have the honour to kick-off the UCI WorldTour calendar. In this year’s edition we have implemented some new changes that will make the route more exciting from a sports and cultural perspective; four sprints, one individual time trial and two climbs will shape the race and give the opportunity to all riders with different characteristics to try and get a win.
“From a cultural perspective the race will meet the glorious past of the UAE by touching some of the stunning monuments and historical sites of the region and the bright future created through sustainability, mobility and opportunity by starting and finishing in Expo 2020 for stage 6.”
