UAE Tour Reveals 2021 Route

We met the UAE Tour with our usual brand of jaded nihilism healthy skepticism when they announced that the race was going ahead but couldn’t share the route or any more details. And we were probably justified: this race was the first to be disrupted by Covid-19 last year, and easily the most nightmarish in the way it played out.

Well, now they’ve revealed the route. Plus the sponsors and jerseys, but nobody cares about those.

The race will take place between February 21 and 27, with all the WorldTeams in attendance, including 2020 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar. It looks like a well-balanced stage race, with four stages for sprinters, two for climbers, and an individual time-trial.

Here’s what they say about each stage. We’re just trusting them, since we don’t know anything about the geography of the UAE.

Stage 1 (177km), will begin in the town of Al Ruwais, then make its way through the Abu Dhabi region before reaching the coastal city of Al Mirfa where an exciting bunch sprint finish is expected.

The following day, the riders will compete over a short and fast-paced individual time trial on Stage 2 (13km) that starts and finishes on the beautiful Al Hudyriat Island. Though brief, the time trial will no doubt provide an opportunity for early time gains in the closely-fought General Classification.

Stage 3 (162km) remains in Abu Dhabi and begins from the headquarters of Strata Manufacturing, located in Al Ain international airport, before tackling Jebel Hafeet to finish – a 10km long ascent that peaks over 1000m above sea level. Cycling fans can expect to witness a battle for the Red Jersey on the mountain pass as the race’s strongest climbers will look to press home their advantage.

Stage 4 (204km) starts and finishes on Al Marjan Island and takes place within Ras al-Khaimah, visiting its neighboring emirate Umm Al-Quwain along the way. The longest day in the saddle by quite some margin, the race’s fourth stage will be best suited to the fast wheels of the peloton thanks to its flat finish.

The next day is the tour’s most challenging: Stage 5 (170km) begins in Fujairah city and makes its way north before finishing with the punishing Jebel Jais climb that tops out at 1491m above sea level. The time won and lost on the long and relentless 20km-plus ascent will most likely prove to be decisive in the General Classification.

Stage 6 (168 km) will see the riders race on a mostly flat route from the Deira Islands, Dubai, and finish at the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Around 60km into the route, the peloton will join the Al-Qudra Cycle Track – an 86km long pristine tarmac path that traverses the Dubai desert – before heading back to the city. 

Stage 7 (147 km) starts at Yas Mall and follows a flat route that takes in the sights of the UAE’s captial , Abu Dhabi, before a final sprint along the city’s breakwater – where the winner of the 3rd edition of the UAE Tour will be crowned.