The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the fifth edition of the UAE Tour have been announced. The UAE Tour race organiser, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has confirmed that this year’s edition, starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi, will feature four sprinters’ stages, two mountain stages and a 17.2 km long, high-speed team time trial.
This year, the UAE Tour will feature over 1028 km of racing across the seven stages. From February 20-26, riders will cross the diverse range of landscapes within the region. The race will feature a significant elevation gain of 3500m, almost all of which is concentrated in stages 3 and 7.
Two summit finishes feature in the 2023 UAE Tour, one at Jebel Jais (where previous stage winners include Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, both of whom have previously earned the coveted Tour de France yellow jersey), and Jebel Hafeet, a climb that has seen three stage victories for Pogacar in the last three editions of the tour.
Now in its fifth edition, this year’s tour for pro male cyclists follows the inaugural UAE Tour Women, the first-ever female WorldTour race in the Middle East. The newest addition to the WorldTour calendar is seen to mark an important step in the region’s development of the sport of women’s cycling.
- Stage 1: Al Dhafra Castle – Al Mirfa (151 km)
- Stage 2: Khalifa Port – Khalifa Port TTT (17.2 km)
- Stage 3: Umbrella Beach Al Fujairah – Jebel Jais (185 km)
- Stage 4: Al Shindagha – Dubai Harbour (174 km)
- Stage 5: Al Marjan Island – Umm al Quwain (182 km)
- Stage 6: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (166 km)
- Stage 7: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Jebel Hafeet (153 km)
The official race jerseys will be provided by Italian brand, Alé, which is also producing official jerseys for the women’s race.
- Red Jersey – general classification: worn daily, starting from stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time; sponsored by International Holding Company
- 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.
- White Jersey – young rider classification: worn daily, starting from stage 2, by the best young rider (U25) in the overall classification by time; sponsored by Nakheel
- 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; sponsored by Experience Abu Dhabi
Alongside the sponsors of the leaders’ jerseys, other sponsors include:
- Stage sponsors: Presight.ai – G42, AD Ports Group, Burjeel Holding, Dubai Sports Council, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and International holding Company
- Official car: Audi Al Nabooda
- Host broadcasters: Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Dubai Media,
- Official partners: Alé, Daman, Tadweer, Oakley, Al Ain Water
- Official suppliers: Shimano, Colnago, Wolfi’s and Segafredo.
Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said “The UAE Tour has become an esteemed race in the WorldTour calendar, and this year of the UAE Tour brings the best teams in the professional peloton to the region once again.
“We are immensely proud of the work that has gone into the organisation, and the successes the race has seen over the previous years. The UAE Tour has become a valuable asset to the growth of cycling across the region and since the launch of its first edition in 2019, it’s brought with it many achievements.
“Cycling has gained an extremely widespread presence in our society over these years, and the return of the UAE Tour for a fifth season only enhances the sport’s popularity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle among all groups.”
Fabrizio d’Amico, RCS Sports and Events DMCC Chief Operating Officer, said “Seeing the world-class peloton back on the roads of such a glorious location is always a joy.
Over the seven stages across the varied terrain that passes historical landmarks of the region, the race is shaped by four sprint stages, two climbing stages and a team trial providing riders with different characteristics the opportunity to win.
“This season also sees a great milestone reached, both within the sport and the country’s commitment to the development of cycling culture. We are excited to introduce the Women’s UAE Tour into the WorldTour calendar and look forward to watching it grow in popularity over the next few years.”
