Calendar/February 2026/UAE Tour

2.UWT Stage race · 7 stages · 1013 km ★★★★

UAE Tour

The UAE Tour is the only WorldTour race in the Middle East, featuring seven stages across the United Arab Emirates. The format balances sprint opportunities on flat desert roads with two crucial mountain stages - Jebel Jais mid-race and the iconic Jebel Hafeet summit finish on the finale.

§ Watch

Where to watch

🇺🇸United States

HBO Max

streaming · LIVE · $

US via HBO Max — RCS Sport races moved to WBD/HBO Max for 2026 (was FloBikes).

Watch →

🇬🇧United Kingdom

Discovery+

streaming · LIVE · $

Full live coverage via Eurosport

Watch →

YouTube @GCNRacing · highlights·@eurosportcycling · highlights

Broadcast notes

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§ 02 — Stages

The route, day by day

ROAD

Mon, Feb 16

Sprint Stage

138km

FLAT

Opening sprint stage through the desert - flat with possible uphill kick to finish

ITT

Tue, Feb 17

Individual Time Trial

12km

ITT · FLAT

Fast flat time trial for the TT specialists

MTN
QUEEN

Wed, Feb 18

Jebel Jais

179km

MOUNTAIN · SUMMIT-FINISH

First mountain stage with summit finish atop Jebel Jais - 20km climb at 5% average

ROAD

Thu, Feb 19

Sprint Stage

181km

FLAT

Flat stage through the desert - beware of crosswinds

ROAD

Fri, Feb 20

Sprint Stage

160km

FLAT

Another flat day in Dubai - sprint opportunity

6R🔥

ROAD

Sat, Feb 21

Sprint Stage

167km

FLAT

Flat stage to Abu Dhabi - final sprint opportunity before finale

MTN

Sun, Feb 22

Jebel Hafeet

176km

MOUNTAIN · SUMMIT-FINISH

Queen stage and finale with summit finish atop Jebel Hafeet - decisive for GC

§ 03 — Startlist & Jerseys

Who to watch & what to watch for

Top Starters

I. Del Toro

UAE Team Emirates - XRG

J. Vingegaard

Team Visma \| Lease a Bike

J. Milan

Lidl - Trek

J. Vine

UAE Team Emirates - XRG

F. Gall

Decathlon CMA CGM Team

Jerseys

Red Jersey

UAE Red

Overall GC leader.

Green Jersey

Green Points

Points classification leader.

Black Jersey

Black KOM

King of the Mountains.

White Jersey

White Young

Best Young Rider.

§ 04 — GC Favourites

Fight for the overall

№ 01 · ONE-DAY

I. Del Toro

UAE Team Emirates - XRG

UCI #2★★★★★

№ 02 · GC-CONTENDER

J. Vingegaard

Team Visma \| Lease a Bike

UCI #3★★★★★

№ 03 · SPRINTER

J. Milan

Lidl - Trek

UCI #19★★★

№ 04 · TIME-TRIALIST

J. Vine

UAE Team Emirates - XRG

UCI #21★★★

№ 05 · CLIMBER

F. Gall

Decathlon CMA CGM Team

UCI #27★★★

§ 05 — Storylines

Narratives to watch

GC battle between climbing and TT abilities
Four sprint opportunities for fast finishers
Desert crosswinds can reshape the race at any moment
Jebel Hafeet always delivers drama on the final day

§ 07 — Viewing Notes

When to tune in

The exposed desert roads can produce dangerous crosswinds that split the race on flat stages. Jebel Hafeet on the finale typically decides the GC - 10km at 8.5% average with kicks up to 11%. Top GC contenders often target this race for early season form.