Five things we learned from the 2021 UAE Tour
The peloton's youngsters shone once more
The 2020 UAE Tour was cancelled with two stages remaining (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Where: United Arab Emirates
When: February 21 to 27, 2021
Rank: UCI WorldTour
The UAE Tour is the result of a merger between the Abu Dhabi Tour and the Dubai Tour, and it will continue to be a UCI WorldTour race into 2021.
The seven day race will kick off on Sunday February 21, finishing on Sunday February 27.
The inaugural edition in 2019 was won by Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) with Adam Yates (now Ineos-Grenadiers then Mitchelton-Scott) taking the 2020 race.
The Dubai Tour has always been an event populated predominantly by sprinters, and was won by Elia Viviani in 2018.
Comparatively, the Abu Dhabi Tour was more one for the climbers, thanks to the pivotal climb of the 10.8 kilometre Jebel Hafeet. In 2018, it was Alejandro Valverde who scooped up the win.
Last year’s edition’s last two stages were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the whole race quarantine in their hotels with several testing positive for the virus.
It is expected that the UAE Tour 2020 will be broadcast on Eurosport and GCN Race Pass.
You’ll find the TV guide here when details become available.
The route for the 2021 UAE Tour has been announced and it looks pretty similar to the previous two editions with four flat stages, two mountain days and one individual time trial.
The varied terrain will mean that this race will attract a Grand Tour tier start list with some of the biggest names in the sport already down to race through the megacities and deserts of the United Arab Emirates.
Stage one, Sun February 21, 2021 | Al Ruwais – Al Mirfa | 177km Flat |
Stage two, Mon February 22, 2021 | Al Hudyriat Island – Al Hudyriat Island | 13km ITT |
Stage three, Tues February 23, 2021 | Al Ain – Jebel Hafeet | 162km Mountain |
Stage four, Weds February 24, 2021 | Al Marjan Island – Al Marjan Island | 204km Flat |
Stage five, Thurs February 25, 2021 | Fujairah – Jebel Jais | 170km Mountain |
Stage six, Fri February 26, 2021 | Dubai – Palm Jumeirah | 168km Flat |
Stage seven, Sat February 27, 2021 | Yas Island – Abu Dhabi | 147km Flat |
2019 Primož Roglič, Team Jumbo-Visma
2020 Adam Yates, Mitchelton-Scott
Adam Yates crowned the winner of the 2020 UAE Tour (Picture: Zuma Press/PA Images)
2015 Esteban Chaves, Orica–GreenEDGE
2016 Tanel Kangert, Astana Pro Team
2017 Rui Costa, UAE Team Emirates
2018 Alejandro Valverde, Movistar Team
2014 Taylor Phinney, BMC Racing Team
2015 Mark Cavendish, Etixx–Quick-Step
2016 Marcel Kittel, Etixx–Quick-Step
2017 Marcel Kittel, Quick-Step Floors
2018 Elia Viviani, Quick-Step Floors
Key info: Start list