The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the fourth 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 will feature four sprinters’ stages, two mountain stages best suited to the peloton’s climbers and a 9km long, high-speed individual time trial.
The one and only WorldTour race in the Middle East, the UAE Tour, is set to kick-start the 2022 UCI WorldTour calendar with 1081km of racing across seven stages from 20 to 26 February. The race, which crosses a diverse mix of landscapes, will feature a significant elevation gain of 3500m, almost all of which is concentrated in Stages 4 and 7.
Now in its fourth edition, this year’s tour coincides with another significant event for the Emirates – Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region taking place 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and that will host the start of Stage 6.
Full stage descriptions and sponsors for the 2022 UAE Tour are listed below.
Stage 1 – Al Ain Water Stage – Madinat Zayed (185km)
A stage taking place entirely in the desert. It’s beginning and finale follow approximately 45km of straight roads. Once in Liwa, the route enters a zone of dunes that make up the bulk of the stage’s elevation. A series of ups and downs will be covered twice to take the riders to Moreeb Dune. After passing Liwa for the second time, the route follows the same way back to Madinat Zayed.
Last km
A perfectly straight city route. It runs along wide, straight avenues with no obstacles whatsoever. Final stretch on asphalt.
Stage 2 – International Holding Company Stage – Hudayriyat Island – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (173km)
A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. It departs from Hudayriyat Island and heads to Yas Island and then to Al Raha, passing by the Great Mosque. The route returns first through the Al Wathba Camel Track and then Khalifa City to converge again on Yas Marina and head to Saadiyat Island. The riders then take the Corniche to Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
Last km
The final 5km remains on a wide road with sweeping bends leading to the tarmac finish line.
Stage 3 – G42 Stage presented by Tissot – Ajman ITT (9km)
An individual time trial entirely in Ajman that features a very fast course characterised only by a U-turn about halfway along the route. The road is perfectly flat and wide with wide radius turns.
Last km
Wide turns, wide road, perfect pavement. Asphalt finish line.
Stage 4 – Burjeel Medical City Stage – Fujairah Fort – Jebel Jais (181km)
This is the first of two most likely decisive mountain stages in the UAE Tour. It is divided into two distinctly different parts: the first being an undulating approach to the final mountain through the desert and the second being the last 20km or so of continuous climbing to the finish. Departure is from Fujairah, crossing the desert areas on the edge of the Hajar Mountains towards Ras-al-Khaimah, whose capital city is not crossed by the race, which heads directly towards Jebel Jais Mountain. The stage’s final climb is around 20km in length at an almost constant 5%, with slightly steeper gradients of around 7% in the last 2km.
Last km
A final climb which winds along hairpin bends on a very wide roadway. Gradients remain mainly around 4/5% in the climb’s first part and 5/7% in its second with a peak of 9% 2 km from the finish. Tarmac finishing straight.
Stage 5 – Marjan Stage – Ras al Khaimah Corniche – Al Marjan Island (182km)
The stage starts in Ras-al-Khaimah with a desert departure at the foot of Jebel Jais. It then heads to Umm al Quwain and north across the desert again to almost reach Ras al Khaimah before heading to Marjan Island for the final sprint. The entire route takes place on wide, well-paved and essentially straight roads through the desert where wind and sometimes sand can affect the peloton.
Last km
Final stretch on a wide, slightly curved road. Arrival on tarmac.
Stage 6 – Expo 2020 Dubai Stage – Expo 2020 Dubai – Expo 2020 Dubai (180km)
The city stage of Dubai, departing from Expo 2020 Dubai. The first part of the stages takes place in the desert, touching familiar locations: Dubai Sports City, Al Qudra Cycletrack and the Silicon Oasis, until returning to the city at Meydan racecourse. Crossing the city, the riders will then reach Jumeirah Road, Palm Jumeirah and the Jumeirah Islands before returning to Expo 2020 Dubai. The entire route takes place entirely on very wide roads, essentially straight, interspersed with large and well-paved roundabouts. The riders may encounter some sand in case of wind during the desert sections.
Last km
Final stretch along a wide, slightly curved road. Arrival on asphalt.
Stage 7 – Mubadala Stage – Al Jahili Fort – Jebel Hafeet (148km)
This is the classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. The first part of the stage follows the usual route around Al Ain, passing many of its well-known sights (Al Ain Zoo, Al Qattara, Al Hili, Al Ain Oasis) before returning after a long desert loop to Green Mubazzarah where the closing 10km climb up Jebel Hafeet is the final ‘judge’ of the race.
Last km
A final climb which winds along wide hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are mostly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% 3km from the finish. There is a very short descent in the last km before the last ramp (all on 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.
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Sponsor: International Holding Company
Design: Features the iconic Qasr Al Hosn
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.
Sponsor: Italian Trade Agency (ICE)
Design: Features famous landmarks of Italy: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome Colosseum, Venice and Milan Cathedral
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
Design: Features the world-famous Palm Jumeirah
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: Abu Dhabi Aviation
Design: Features Abu Dhabi Aviation’s helicopter following the UAE Tour peloton
Official Sponsors of The 2022 UAE Tour
Alongside the ‘Top Sponsors’ of the four jerseys (International Holding Company, Italian Trade Agency (ICE), Nakheel and Abu Dhabi Aviation) gratitude is also expressed to the following: Host Broadcasters; Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Dubai Sports Channel, Official Timekeeper Tissot, Official Eyewear Oakley, Official Medical Service partner Burjeel, Official stage sponsor, Al Ain Water, International Holding Company, G42, Burjeel Medical, Marjan, Dubai Sports Council and Stage sponsor and National Partner Mubadala. Official stage partners Dubai Silicon Oasis, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Official Partners G42, Daman and Tadweer and official suppliers Al Ain Water, Shimano, Colgano and Segafredo.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council said: “We are pleased to announce the routes, Jerseys and sponsors of the UAE Tour in its fourth edition.
“Once again, we welcome the world’s elite teams and riders to the launch of global races on the UCI’s agenda, hoping that the UAE Tour will be a gateway to the start of the season.
“A rich world full of successes and positive results for all, thanks to the sincere efforts made by the competent authorities and their supervision of the application of all precautionary and preventive measures for the safety and health of all.
He added: “The UAE Tour has become a prestigious sport brand among the major events in the world, and has been able to multiply the successes and gains every year, and has contributed to achieving important societal impacts on different groups and generations.
“Cycling has become one of the important sports with wide spread presence in society over the years. It enhances the quality of life index and supports a healthy and sporting lifestyle among all groups and segments of society.”
He continued, “We are fully prepared to host the fourth edition of the UAE Tour – the one and only WorldTour cycling race in the Middle East, in support of the success of previous years in light of the great experience enjoyed by the various work teams and fruitful cooperation with all government and private agencies, sponsors and supporters of the success of the prestigious event.
“We take pride on the value of the UAE Tour, the event that has proven its great position since the launch of its first edition in 2019, and which recorded sporting, promotional and economic achievements for the various emirates of the country and their urban, historical and tourist attractions.”
Syed Basar Shueb, CEO and Managing Director of International Holding Company Said, ‘This is an exciting moment for IHC as we kick off our three-year partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and become part of one of the most prestigious sporting events globally. Undoubtedly, the event represents an excellent platform for promoting the Emirate’s passion for sports and its unique territory, and we are thrilled for IHC’s name to be part of it, as the Tour’s Red Jersey sponsor. Working closely with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, our objective is to add more value to the Tour, introduce supporting activities around the event, drive more community engagement and promote health and well-being.”
“The new platform madeinitaly.gov.it, its promotion through major sporting events and the nation branding campaign beIT are parts of the 19 new actions of Italian Trade Agency to promote Italian companies at a time of restarting international trade. This collaboration with UAE Tour will help to promote the Made in Italy brand around the world.” says Carlo Ferro, President of Italian Trade Agency. “This is how promotion of the Country System must be in collaboration between companies and institutions on international markets. Few sports like cycling attract the attention of consumers around the world to Italy. That’ why I’m confident in the results of this important initiative.”
Mohamed AlQassem, Executive Director, Nakheel Community Management, said: “Nakheel has supported the UAE Tour since its inception as part of its commitment to hosting and endorsing the world-class, international sporting events in the UAE’s annual calendar. We are delighted to sponsor the White Jersey for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing our pledge to promote sports, fitness and wellbeing and acknowledge fresh new sporting talent.
“The UAE Tour showcases the UAE’s natural beauty, iconic skyline and world famous developments, and we are honoured that some of our key communities including Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Islands will once again be part of this sporting spectacular. We wish the organisers and competitors all the very best for what we are sure will be another great success.”
Hashim Al Hashimi, Business and Projects Manager at Abu Dhabi Airlines, said: “We are delighted to participate in the UAE Tour 2022, where Abu Dhabi Aviation is keeping in mind the support of sports and athletes, and pointed out that Abu Dhabi is witnessing a qualitative shift in the world championships it hosts, stressing that this is a translation of the guidance of good leadership.
Abu Dhabi Aviation’s participation in the UAE Tour is a support for sports activities and events hosted by Abu Dhabi, as well as collaboration in the development vision of the UAE’s sporting events and activities. Abu Dhabi Airlines is also keen to carry out its community duties by supporting and sponsoring major sporting events that contribute to the development of community performance. Spreading the culture of sport to reach a healthier and happier society.
Fabrizio d’Amico, RCS Sports and Events DMCC Chief Operating Officer said, “I would like to start with acknowledging and praising the effort and commitment to the UAE Tour by the leadership of the country, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and all of our stakeholders who have contributed to making the fourth edition of the one and only WorldTour race in the Middle East possible.
For the second consecutive year we have the honour to kick-off the UCI WorldTour calendar. In this year’s edition we have implemented some new changes that will make the route more exciting from a sports and cultural perspective; four sprints, one individual time trial and two climbs will shape the race and give the opportunity to all riders with different characteristics to try and get a win. From a cultural perspective the race will meet the glorious past of the UAE by touching some of the stunning monuments and historical sites of the region and the bright future created through sustainability, mobility and opportunity by starting and finishing in Expo 2020 for stage 6.”
Source: Abu Dhabi Sports Council