The routes for the 2025 UAE Tour and UAE Tour Women were officially unveiled today, setting the stage for a highly anticipated February racing calendar in the Middle East. As the only UCI WorldTour races in the region, these events continue to solidify their place on the international cycling schedule.
The General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, H.E. Aref Al Awani, highlighted the importance of the races for the UAE and their growing prestige on the global stage. “The UAE Tour and UAE Tour Women will once again be part of the UCI World Tour in 2025, reaffirming their status as the most prestigious races in the Middle East,” he said. He further noted that the inclusion of top cycling stars such as Tadej Pogačar, a winner of both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, and Elisa Longo Borghini, a previous UAE Tour Women champion, underscores the significance of these events.
The women’s race will run from the 6th to the 9th of February, followed by the men’s race from the 17th to the 23rd. Both races will conclude with the iconic ascent of Jebel Hafeet, which is set to be the ultimate decider in the general classification battles. This year’s routes also showcase more of the Emirates, with diverse terrains ranging from desert dunes to mountainous climbs.
Fabrizio D’Amico, UAE Tour Director, praised the collaborative efforts behind the event. “Once again this year, we have an impressive line-up of cycling champions ready to take on the challenges of every stage,” he said. “We are proud to support and foster the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global cycling destination.”
The 2024 editions saw Belgian riders claim victories in both the men’s and women’s events. Lennert Van Eetvelt took the title in the men’s UAE Tour, while Lotte Kopecky, wearing the world champion’s rainbow jersey, triumphed in the women’s race. The 2025 races will aim to build on that excitement, offering a mix of opportunities for sprinters, time trial specialists, and climbers.
H.E. Aref Al Awani expressed pride in the event’s development. “Hosting such exceptional talent is a huge honour and a recognition of our commitment to making this event a key fixture in the global cycling calendar,” he said.
UAE Tour Women: Sprint opportunities and a decisive mountain stage
The third edition of the UAE Tour Women will feature three sprint stages and a critical summit finish at Jebel Hafeet, promising an exciting contest for the overall title. The race opens on the 6th of February with a flat 149 km route through Dubai, concluding at the Dubai Harbour. The second stage, at 111 km, traverses the desert from Al Dhafra Fort to Al Mirfa, with the wind expected to play a key role.
Stage 3 is likely to be the defining moment of the race. Starting at Al Ain’s Qasr Al Muwaiji, the riders will take on a gruelling 152 km route before tackling the 10 km climb up Jebel Hafeet. Gradients of up to 11% in the final kilometres will test the climbers and GC contenders. The race concludes with a flat 128 km route around Abu Dhabi, finishing at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater.
UAE Tour: A mix of sprints, time trials, and mountain challenges
The men’s seventh edition will include seven stages, with highlights such as the Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet summit finishes and an individual time trial on Al Hudayriyat Island. The race begins on the 17th of February with a 138 km stage from Madinat Zayed to Liwa Palace, featuring laps of the challenging Moreeb Dune cycle path.
Stage 2’s 12.2 km time trial is expected to see speeds soar on the flat and fast roads of Al Hudayriyat Island. The action intensifies on Stage 3 with a 179 km route to Jebel Jais, where a 20 km climb averaging 5% will provide a stern test. Another flat sprint stage follows on Stage 4 from Fujairah to Umm Al Quwain.
Dubai hosts Stage 5 with a 160 km route that touches landmarks such as the Al Qudra Cycle Track and the Dubai Safari Park. The penultimate stage sees the peloton race 167 km around Abu Dhabi before the finale on Stage 7, a 176 km mountain showdown on Jebel Hafeet.
Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency