The cycling world spins into town.
February is clearly a month of sports in Abu Dhabi, with cycling entering into the affray against football.
It will be a time when the eyes of the cycling world will be trained on Abu Dhabi and the UAE as the country is set to host the opening race of the 2022 UCI World Tour racing calendar – The UAE Tour.
The only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Tour event to take place in the Middle East, the race will see cyclists master mountains, conquer city streets and rule roads in the desert and the coast over 1,000 km throughout Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Interest in the seven-stage event, and indeed the sport of cycling in the emirate, is at an all-time high with the recent official designation of Abu Dhabi as a UCI Bike City – the first city in the whole of Asia to receive the accolade.
The event is coupled with the announcement of Bike Abu Dhabi, a new programme that will see significant cycling projects flourish, including an extension of the emirate’s 300km cycling network to more than 1,000km and the construction of the 3,500 capacity Velodrome Hudayriyat.
But who are the cyclists with whom you should hitch a ride should you be at one of the stages to be held in Al Dhafra Castle/Al Mirfa, Al Hudayriyat Island, Jebel Hafeet or Yas Island?
Twin-brothers Simon and Adam Yates will draw plenty of attention from many British expats throughout the UAE who race for Team BikeExchange and Ineos Grenadiers respectively.
Simon took the title back in 2020 whereas Adam will look to go one better than last year and emulate his sibling by standing on the winner’s podium.
Local interest will be piqued by UAE Team Emirates powerhouse Tadej Pogačar.
A two-time Tour de France winner, Olympic silver medalist, the number one ranked cyclist on tour and the defending champion, the Slovenian dynamo will be the man to beat once again when the race begins on 21 February.
You will all have to wait until 26 February at Yas Mall to discover our champion.
But we are certain of one thing; we know cycle fans are in for a thrilling week.
For more information visit uci.org
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