UAE Tour Women 2026
05.02-08.02
The 2026 UAE Tour Women begins on February 5 in Al Mirfa and concludes on February 8 at Jebel Hafeet after four stages covering 533km. The 4th edition of the race is set to see two-time and defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini return with the ambition to add another red jersey to her collection, whilst Lorena Wiebes will aim to extend her record of most stage wins at the race beyond her current tally of 6. The first three stages favour the sprinters, whilst the fourth and final stage will see the general classification contenders fight for victory on the slopes of Jebel Hafeet.
Route
The 2026 route is built around variety, but with a clear emphasis on sprint opportunities before a decisive mountain finale. The race opens with a short desert stage of 111 kilometres from Al Mirfa on the Arabian Gulf coast to Madinat Zayed. Long straight roads through the desert point firmly towards a bunch sprint, with a wide and technical final kilometre shaping the run in to the line.
Stage two moves to Dubai and is the longest of the sprint stages at 145 kilometres. Starting at the Dubai Police Academy and finishing at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, the flat profile and broad finishing avenue create ideal conditions for organised sprint trains and high speed finales.
The third stage is centred around Abu Dhabi, taking in several city landmarks including the Yas Marina Circuit. The finish at Abu Dhabi Breakwater once again favours the fast riders, offering a final chance for the sprinters to contest a stage victory.
Everything is then decided on the final day. The race concludes with a 156 kilometre stage from Al Ain to the summit of Jebel Hafeet. After a largely flat approach, the decisive ten kilometre climb averages gradients of eight to nine percent, providing a brutal and selective finale where the general classification is settled.
Favourites
Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ returns as defending champion and the benchmark on Jebel Hafeet, motivated by home team backing and the chance to claim a third overall title. She is joined again by teammate Silvia Persico, last year’s runner up, and Karlijn Swinkels, who placed fifth, giving UAE Team ADQ proven depth for the red jersey.
The field is deeper than ever, led by Tour de France Femmes winner Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney making her UAE Tour debut for Canyon Sram Zondacrypto, supported by former runner up Neve Bradbury. Anna van der Breggen of SD Worx-Protime also debuts, while Marlen Reusser of Movistar arrives in form after an early season second place and will be eager to turn the tables.
Kim Le Court of AG Insurance-Soudal is another GC threat. Watch also Niamh Fisher-Black, Juliette Berthet, Monica Trinca Colonel and Justine Ghekiere. In the sprints, Lorena Wiebes is the rider to beat, with Charlotte Kool and Chiara Consonni closest.
Read our preview and check out the full startlist.
