Abu Dhabi Sports Council and RCS Sports & Events have renewed their partnership for the ongoing organisation of the UAE Tour and UAE Tour Women, reinforcing their shared commitment to the growth of elite cycling in the region.
The renewal confirms that both races will remain flagship events on the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour calendars. Their continued presence solidifies the United Arab Emirates’ status as a major host nation in professional cycling, offering early-season opportunities to the world’s top riders.
Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup, underlined the long-term ambition of the collaboration. “We are proud to renew our collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, a strategic partner with whom we share vision and ambition,” he said. “The UAE Tour and UAE Tour Women have now become unmissable events on the international calendar. Cycling, like all sports, speaks a universal language — and the United Arab Emirates is establishing itself as one of its new key hubs.”
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, echoed that sentiment. “Renewing the partnership with RCS is a new step towards achieving our strategic goals and continuing the successes accomplished since the first editions of the UAE Tours for men and women,” he said. “We are committed to attracting top global sporting events to Abu Dhabi and promoting cycling both within our community and on the international stage.”
Photo Credit: GettySince its inception in 2019, the UAE Tour has grown into one of the premier stage races outside Europe. Held over seven stages, it blends sprint opportunities with summit finishes, including the now-iconic Jebel Hafeet and Jebel Jais climbs. Tadej Pogačar leads the honours list with three victories – in 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2025. Other past winners include Primož Roglič, Adam Yates, Remco Evenepoel, and Lennart Van Eetvelt.
The UAE Tour Women, launched in 2023, is already attracting a strong field. The four-stage race has been won twice by Elisa Longo Borghini, including in 2025, and once by Lotte Kopecky, and has quickly established itself as a key early-season event for WorldTour teams.
Both races showcase the UAE’s unique landscapes and are designed to increase visibility for the sport in the region, while continuing to appeal to a global audience. The renewed agreement ensures that elite cycling will remain a fixture in the Gulf well into the future.
Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
