UAE Tour opener cut in distance due to 'strong winds'
The decision to cut the stage by 26km was taken to remove the peloton's passage along the narrow Tal Moreeb cycle track from the route.
The opening stage of the UAE Tour has been shortened by 26km due to high winds. Race organiser RCS Sport made the announcement midway through stage 1, which was reduced in distance from 144km to 118km.
The decision meant that the UAE Tour peloton would avoid riding along the narrow Tal Moreeb cycle track in the final of stage 1. The stage finish remains at Liwa.
“The race direction, in agreement with the jury, due to strong winds, has decided to shorten the first stage of the UAE Tour to 118 km instead of 144 km,” read the statement issued by RCS Sport.
The UAE Tour is the latest race in 2026 to fall foul of wind conditions. The Vuelta a Murcia was reduced to just one stage of 83.5km due to high winds in the area, while stage 3 of the Setmana Valenciana was cancelled for the same reason.
Earlier in February, the time trial at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana was neutralised and riders were prohibited from using their time trial bikes due to the effects of Storm Leonardo.
In January, the climb to Willunga Hill was removed from the Tour Down Under due to the risk of bushfires, while the Surf Coast Classics men’s and women’s races were cancelled for the same reason.
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