Routes unveiled for the fifth edition of The UAE Tour in 2023
Two summit finishes (Jebel Hafeet and Jebel Jais), four sprint stages and a team time trial form the route of the UAE Tour’s fifth edition, starting on 20 February.
Riders will compete for the race’s Red, Green, White and Black jerseys – sponsored by International Holding Company, Nakheel and Experience Abu Dhabi respectively.
The official jersey will be provided by Alé
2022 edition was won by Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar
United Arab Emirates, 18 January 2023 – The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the fifth edition of the UAE Tour have been announced. The UAE Tour race organisers, Abu Dhabi Sports Council are pleased to confirm that this year’s edition of the race, starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi, will feature four sprinters’ stages, two mountain stages best suited to the peloton’s climbers and a 17.2 km long, high-speed team time trial.
This year, the UAE Tour will feature over 1028 km of racing across the seven stages. From 20 to 26 February, riders will cross the diverse range of landscapes within the region, the race will feature a significant elevation gain of 3500m, almost all of which is concentrated in Stages 3 and 7. Two summit finishes feature in the 2023 UAE Tour, one at Jebel Jais, where previous stage winners include Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, both of whom have previously earned the coveted Tour de France yellow jersey, and Jebel Hafeet, an epic climb that has seen three stage victories for Pogacar in the last three editions of the tour.
Now in its fifth edition, this year’s tour follows the inaugural UAE Tour Women, the first-ever female WorldTour race in the Middle East. The newest addition to the WorldTour calendar marks an important step in the region’s development of the sport and showcases its commitment to the growth of cycling.
Full stage descriptions and sponsors for the 2023 UAE Tour are listed below.
Stage 1: Al Dhafra Castle – Al Mirfa (151 KM)
The stage of the desert. Starting from Al Dhafra Castle in the desert, the route reaches Madinat Zayed along wide and straight roads. After the city it crosses the desert again for over 60 km, heading toward the coast pointing directly towards Al Mirfa. Here is where the route enters the final circuit of about 18 km, to be repeated once.
Last kms
The final circuit is on a wide well-paved road and features some turnarounds on large roundabouts and a short climb immediately after the passages on the finish line. The finish line is on asphalt 8m wide.
Stage 2: Khalifa Port – Khalifa Port TTT (17.2 KM)
Stage 2 is a Team Time Trial that takes place entirely inside Khalifa Port. The route is very fast and is characterized only by a few right angle bends and two U-turns. The road is perfectly flat, wide and with wide-ranging turns, which will allow riders to hold very high speeds (wind permitting).
Last kms
Wide curves, wide road, excellent pavement. The finish line is on asphalt
Stage 3: Umbrella Beach Al Fujairah – Jebel Jais (185 KM)
The first of two mountain stages of the UAE Tour. The stage is divided into two distinct parts. The first approaches the final mountain undulating through the desert, while the last is characterized by approximately 20 km of continuous climbing up to the finish. Departing from Fujairah and crossing the desert areas on the edge of the Hajar mountains, it then heads towards Ras-al-Khaimah, whose capital is not crossed by the ride. The stage then heads directly towards Jais Mountain. The final climb of approximately 20 km at constant 5% gradient, with slightly higher gradients around 7% in the last 2 km.
Last kms
The final climb winds through hairpin bends on a very wide roadway. Gradients are mainly around 4-5% in the first part and 5-7% in the second, with a peak of 9% around 2 km from the finish. The finish is on straight asphalt roads.
Stage 4: Al Shindagha – Dubai Harbour (174 KM)
A stage in Dubai. Departing from Shindagha, the first part of the stage is on the edge of the city before entering the desert and touching on classic stopover locations such as Al Qudra Cycle track and Expo City Dubai. It then arrives at the Palm Jumeirah, on Crescent Rd, before returning to the base of the Palm and Dubai Harbour. The entire route winds along very wide, and substantially straight, roads interspersed with roundabouts that have a very large radius and are well paved.
Last kms
The ending is on a wide avenue, with the arrival to the finish line on asphalt.
Stage 5: Al Marjan Island – Umm al Quwain (182 KM)
Departing from Marjan Island to reach Ras al Khaimah, the stage heads through the desert southwards with some deviations from the motorway. Here it covers several stretches of motorway until reaching Umm al Quwain for the final sprint. The entire route takes place on wide, straight and well-paved roads through the desert.
Last kms
The final km is on a wide avenue that is slightly curved. The arrival to the finish line is on asphalt.
Stage 6: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (166 KM)
Stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. Departing from Warner Bros Island in Yas Island, the first part of the stage heads north. Continuing towards Khalifa Port it then returns south and heads back to the town through Khalifa City. Returning to Abu Dhabi via the highway and via Maqta Bridge, brushing past the Grand Mosque until reaching Al Khaleej Al Arabi St. Here the substantially straight road, lasting 15 km, leads to the Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
Last kms
The last 5 km are on a wide road with large semi-curves that lead to the finish line on asphalt.
Stage 7: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Jebel Hafeet (153 KM)
The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. In the first part, the traditional long ride in the desert north of the city is covered. The route then winds through Al Ain, where many symbolic landmarks are touched (Al Ain Zoo, Al Qattara, Al Hili) until it returns to Green Mubazzarah. Here the final climb of Jebel Hafeet begins, which with its 10 km section will be the final judge of the race.
Last kms
The final climb winds through wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are mainly around 8-9% with a peak of 11%, 3 km from the finish. There is a very short descent in the last km, before the last ramp. The finish line is on straight asphalt.
The Official Leader Jerseys
The official race jerseys will be provided by Italian brand, Alé. The high-tech sportswear line offers functionality and an ergonomic fit for perfect aerodynamics. At the heart of Alé is all-Italian craftsmanship. Using the insights and input from designers, pro teams and riders, the Alé R&D lab continuously studies materials and develops innovative solutions to guarantee the best performance with maximum comfort.
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Sponsor: International Holding Company
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider (U25) in the overall classification by time.
Sponsor: Nakheel
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained more Intermediate Sprint Points than any other rider.
Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi
Official Sponsors of The 2022 UAE Tour
Alongside the ‘Top Sponsors’ of the four jerseys, International Holding Company, Nakheel and Experience Abu Dhabi, gratitude is also expressed to the following:Stage sponsors: Presight.ai – G42, AD Ports Group, Burjeel Holding, Dubai Sports Council, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and International holding Company, Official car Audi Al Nabooda, host broadcasters Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Dubai Media, Official Partners Ale, Daman, Tadweer, Oakley, Al Ain Water and Official Suppliers Shimano, Colnago, Wolfi’s and Segafredo.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council said: “The UAE Tour has become an esteemed race in the WorldTour calendar, and this year of the UAE Tour brings the best teams in the professional peloton to the region once again. We are immensely proud of the work that has gone into the organisation, and the successes the race has seen over the previous years. Today we are pleased to announce the routes, jerseys and sponsors for 2023.
“The UAE Tour has become a valuable asset to the growth of cycling across the region and since the launch of its first edition in 2019, it’s brought with it many achievements. Cycling has gained an extremely widespread presence in our society over these years, and the return of the UAE Tour for a fifth season only enhances the sports popularity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle among all groups.”
Syed Basar Shueb, International Holdings Company (IHC) Chief Operating Officer, said: “The UAE Tour is the most prestigious cycling event in the Middle East and attracts the attention of top brands and media outlets globally. With the fifth season arriving, the UAE Tour will also be a moment for the history books, and the brands have been keen to get in on the action.
Last year IHC recognized the potential of being the red jersey sponsor, and the team won first place, which was an inspiring moment for us. Supporting the UAE Tour shows how much the IHC brand is diverse and forward-thinking.
The organization needs to make it clear where they stand on critical issues, and for IHC, the UAE Tour is an ideal way to demonstrate our commitment to the initiative spearheading the UAE’s long-term vision to become a leading global cycling hub.”
Mohammed Rashed, Chief Projects Officer at Nakheel said: “Having supported the UAE Tour since its inception, Nakheel is proud to honour its commitment to supporting this globally recognised sporting event.
We are excited to sponsor the White Jersey for the fifth consecutive year, which builds on our commitment to build happiness and prosperity for our citizens, residents and visitors, by promoting health, fitness and welling as well as recognising talented young sportspeople.
The UAE Tour allows participants to take in some of the most stunning scenic routes across each of the Emirates, including our very own Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Islands. We are excited to be supporting the team and working together as one to make the UAE Tour a success”
Fabrizio d’Amico, RCS Sports and Events DMCC Chief Operating Officer said: First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to the leadership of the country, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and all of our stakeholders who have been committed to bringing the UAE Tour back to the Middle East for a fifth season.
“Seeing the world-class peloton back on the roads of such a glorious location is always a joy. Over the seven stages across the varied terrain that passes historical landmarks of the region, the race is shaped by four sprint stages, two climbing stages and a team trial providing riders with different characteristics the opportunity to win.
“This season also sees a great milestone reached, both within the sport and the country’s commitment to the development of cycling culture. We are excited to introduce the Women’s UAE Tour into the WorldTour calendar and look forward to watching it grow in popularity over the next few years.”