UAE Tour 2026
16.02-22.02
The 2026 UAE Tour started on 16 February in Madinat Zayed Majlis and concluded on 22 February at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater after seven stages covering 1004.2 kilometres. The eighth edition was won by Mexican talent Isaac del Toro, ahead of Antonio Tiberi. Pre-race favourite Remco Evenepoel disappointed and finished tenth.
How to watch?
Curious about how to watch the 2026 UAE Tour? Discover it in our complete how to watch guide, featuring a full overview of all broadcasters and streaming options.
Route
The route for the 2026 UAE Tour has been revealed, with a number of mouth-watering opportunities for the sprinters to shine, another crucial individual time-trial, and the introduction of a brand-new summit finish that could define the general classification, across the seven stages.
Stage 1 presents the first of four opportunities for the sprinters to get stuck in with a 144km stage finishing at Liwa Castle, but with an uphill kick to the line averaging around 5%. As is often the case at the UAE Tour, we can expect some of the very best in class to be in attendance for the sprint showdowns, including Tour de France green jersey winner Jonathan Milan.
There’s a strong possibility that there could be a change in race leadership following stage 2’s 12.2km individual time trial in Al Hudayriat, a fast course built for the specialists with a few right-angle bends and two U-turns, the notable obstacles to contend with, though wind could also be a factor.
Next on the agenda is the debut of a brand-new climb, the Jebel Mobrah, which serves as a summit finish on stage 3 and will see those who want to fight for the overall victory come to the fore. The climb to Jebel Mobrah is around 15km in length, with the first part of the climb averaging 7% before the more difficult final 6 kilometres, where the gradient ramps up to an average of 12%, and a maximum of 17%.
Two more sprint opportunities followed in Fujairah and the Dubai Hamdan Smart University on stages 4 and 5, before attention once more turns to the battle for the general classification on stage 6 with a summit finish on the more recognised Jebel Hafeet.
Twelve months ago, Tadej Pogačar sealed the overall victory on the slopes of the difficult 10km climb on the final stage. However, this time around, Jebel Hafeet will host the finish of the penultimate stage, but should still see the final decisive general classification action on its slopes.
Though the general classification will have likely been decided at this point, there’s one last chance for the sprinters to lift their arms aloft in celebration with what is expected to be a rapid dash to the finish at Abu Dhabi Breakwater on stage 7.
The full stage-by-stage guide can be found here.
Favourites
The defending champion, Tadej Pogačar, may not be on the start list, but some of the very best in the business will battle it out for the general classification in the UAE.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), who won a stage here in 2021 before his breakthrough Tour de France, was scheduled to kick-off his 2026 season in the Middle East after winning the Vuelta a España last season but had to withdraw.
This means that the main favourite will be Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), in what will be his second stage race in the colours of the German team after winning the Volta Comunitat Valenciana.
Additionally, Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will be in the hunt for the red jersey and his first WorldTour GC win, with the young Mexican making his debut at the UAE Tour, after scoring 18 victories during a stellar 2025 season.
Tour de France green jersey winner Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) will headline in the sprints, after winning twice here during the 2025 edition.
The full startlist can be found here, and read our full preview via this link.
