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Organised By Abu Dhabi Sport Council

Cavendish, Bilbao, Groenewegen and Viviani confirmed for the UAE Tour

Third in the GC in 2022, Pello Bilbao returns to target Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet summit finishes, whilst Mark Cavendish, Dylan Groenewegen and Elia Viviani are ready to battle for sprint supremacy once again at the UAE Tour.

 

United Arab Emirates, 17 February 2023 – Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the organisers of the UAE Tour, are pleased to announce four more top riders expected to be among the protagonists in the fifth edition of the UAE Tour, taking place from 20-26 February.

Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), the reigning British champion and former world champion (2011), has a glittering history in the UAE, having taken seven victories in his five previous visits. His most recent win was in last season’s UAE Tour, when he edged out Jasper Philipsen on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater to win Stage 2. With an impressive total of 34 Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish shares the record of all-time stage wins with cycling legend Eddy Merckx.

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain – Victorious) returns to the UAE 12 months after securing third place in the General Classification. Bilbao’s podium finish came as a result of his great performance on the Jebel Hafeet climb, where he was only pipped to the line by eventual race winner Tadej Pogačar and runner-up Adam Yates. A two-time stage winner at the Giro d’Italia, Bilbao has already tasted success this season, winning Stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under, and is now ready to show his form at the fifth edition of the UAE Tour.

(©LaPresse)

Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco Alula) is just one of the many top sprinters expected to shine in the four stages which look suited to sprinters of this year’s race. The Dutchman is a five-time stage winner of the Tour de France (between 2017 to 2022), and is no stranger to the UAE Tour, having won Stage 4 in 2020. This year he has already proved his form, conquering Stage 1 of the Saudi Tour, and will now be looking for more success in the one and only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East.

(©Sprint Cycling Agency)

Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers) will also be on the hunt for stage wins at this year’s race. The Italian first rode the UAE Tour in 2019, taking a stage victory and the sprinter’s green jersey. Winner of the 2018 Dubai Tour, five stages at the Giro d’Italia, one stage at the Tour de France, and Olympic Champion in the omnium at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Viviani heads to the UAE to target wins in stages 1,4,5 and 6.

(©Sprint Cycling Agency)

Astana Qazaqstan Team rider and seven-time stage winner in the UAE, Mark Cavendish, said: “This season I am in a new team with the Astana Qazaqstan Team. I had a good winter, got to know my teammates, and when I am happy, like I am now, I know I can achieve good results. As always I am excited to ride the UAE Tour, it is a place I know well and a race I have competed at many times before, achieving a lot of victories. It is a bit like a World Championships for sprinters and it’s important to get started with the right foot.” 

(©Wilier Triestina)

A full list of riders will be announced in due course. To find out more about the UAE Tour, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetour.com.