Five things we learned from the 2021 UAE Tour
The peloton's youngsters shone once more
UAE Tour
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.
UAE Tour on live TV in 2021
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.
UAE Tour route for 2021
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 |
UAE Tour recent winners
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)
Abu Dhabi Tour recent winners
2015 Esteban Chaves, Orica–GreenEDGE
2016 Tanel Kangert, Astana Pro Team
2017 Rui Costa, UAE Team Emirates
2018 Alejandro Valverde, Movistar Team
Dubai Tour recent winners
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
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Caleb Ewan pips Sam Bennett to UAE Tour stage seven win as Tadej Pogačar seals overall
The Australian denied Bennett a third victory at the 2021 WorldTour opener
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Update: Adam Yates taken to hospital for precautionary checks after UAE Tour crash
Dani Martinez was forced to abandon with knee pain after being involved in the same crash
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‘I just tried to hang on’ - Chris Froome on finishing within two minutes of winner on UAE Tour mountain finish
Chris Froome said he “just tried to hang on” as he finished within two minutes of the leaders on the UAE Tour’s second summit finish.
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Sam Bennett takes his second win in messy sprint finish on stage six of the UAE Tour 2021
Sam Bennett took his second win of the UAE Tour 2021 on stage six in chaotic finish into Palm Jumeirah while others were bumping and barging to try and get his wheel.
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Jonas Vingegaard comes out on top with late attack to take stage five of the UAE Tour 2021
Jonas Vingegaard took stage victory on the Jebel Jais climb on stage five of the UAE Tour after catching Alexey Lutsenko with 250 metres to go with a very late attack by the young Danish rider.
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Sam Bennett was 'pretty nervous' before taking 50th pro win at UAE Tour
Sam Bennett took stage four of the 2021 UAE Tour by around a bike length over second place David Dekker in the Irishman's first hit out in a bunch sprint this season.
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Sam Bennett takes victory in chaotic finale on stage four of the UAE Tour 2021
Sam Bennett took the win in a very chaotic sprint finish on stage four of the UAE Tour 2021, the longest of the race at 204.1km, beating the young Dutch sprinter of David Dekker and Australian Caleb Ewan.
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Tadej Pogačar dominates the Strava leaderboards after stage victory on Jebel Hafeet
Tadej Pogačar has dominated the Strava leaderboards on Jebel Hafeet during his tactical stage victory in the UAE Tour.
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Tadej Pogačar extends his lead with victory on Jebel Hafeet during stage three of UAE Tour 2021
Tadej Pogačar extended his lead in the general classification on stage three of the UAE Tour after holding on to multiple attacks from Adam Yates before, flying around the British rider with about 400 metres to go to take it in the sprint.
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Antonio Tiberi injured after bizarre crash across the finish line in UAE Tour time trial
Antonio Tiberi was left with a deep wound to his knee after a bizarre crash across the finish line in the UAE Tour time trial.
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Filippo Ganna storms to time trial victory on stage two of UAE Tour 2021
The world time trial champion was in fine form yet again as he continues his amazing unbeaten run in the discipline on stage two of the UAE Tour 2021
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Alpecin-Fenix leaves the UAE Tour after positive Covid-19 test
The team and race have confirmed the their departure from the race so that everyone else can be kept safe from the virus
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Mathieu van der Poel hails 'cyclocross shape in the desert' as key to UAE Tour stage win
The Dutchman arrived in the UAE with zero personal ambition but found himself on the top step of the podium once again
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How to watch the UAE Tour 2021: Watch the WorldTour stage race featuring Chris Froome and Mathieu van der Poel
A host of top names will be lining up at the first WorldTour event of the new season
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UAE Tour start list: Chris Froome, Tadej Pogačar and Caleb Ewan all down to race in 2021
The Middle East stage race has a number of big riders set to take the start line
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Five things to look out for at the UAE Tour 2021
The 2021 WorldTour gets underway in the Middle East with a star-studded line-up
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Here is the team riding with Chris Froome during his Israel Start-Up Nation debut
Chris Froome is poised to kickstart the next step in his career, as he makes his Israel Start-Up Nation debut in the Middle East.
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Tadej Pogačar leads UAE Team Emirates at first men’s WorldTour race of 2021
Tadej Pogačar will make his 2021 debut at the UAE Tour, leading his UAE Team Emirates squad.
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Here is the strong Ineos Grenadiers team heading to the UAE Tour
Defending champion, Adam Yates, is set to make his debut for his new team at Ineos Grenadiers during the UAE Tour
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Chris Froome posts final California training ride on Strava as he prepares for season debut
Chris Froome uploads his final training ride in California to Strava before he starts his season at the UAE Tour in under a weeks time
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Here are the first major races of the 2021 season (still scheduled to go ahead)
The 2021 season has already been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the start of the WorldTour calendar delayed while a number of other early season races have already been cancelled.
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Chris Froome to make Israel Start-Up Nation debut at UAE Tour 2021
Chris Froome is set headline the 2021 UAE Tour, his first race for Israel Start-Up Nation.
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Fernando Gaviria has been released from UAE after coronavirus diagnosis
Fernando Gaviria is finally free to leave the UAE after he contracted coronavirus.
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Russian rider in hospital in UAE with coronavirus
A Russian rider is receiving treatment in the UAE for coronavirus, his team have announced.
