Milano, 26 OCTOBER 2021
UAE Tour set to open UCI WorldTour calendar in February 2022
The UAE Tour, now in its fourth edition, will kick-start the UCI WorldTour calendar from 20-26 February 2022, starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi.
2021 edition of the UAE Tour won by 2 times Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar
United Arab Emirates, 26 October 2021 – The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is pleased to confirm that the fourth edition of the UAE Tour, the one and only World Tour race in the Middle East, will begin on 20 February 2022, as ratified by the sports world governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The race, organised in collaboration with RCS Sport, is set to kick-start the 2022 UCI WorldTour racing calendar, starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Next year’s race will cross a diverse mixture of landscapes – mountains, coastal and desert roads, as well as city streets, across its seven stages. The 2022 UAE Tour will build on the success of its previous three editions – won by world-class riders Primoz Roglic (2019), Simon Yates (2020) and most recently two-time Tour de France-winner Tadej Pogacar (2021).
Since its first edition in 2019, the UAE Tour continues to go from strength to strength, with this year’s edition hosting the full roster of 19 UCI WorldTeams for the very first time. Images from 2021’s race were broadcast across 200 countries, while domestically, the success of the one and only WorldTour race in the Middle-East has had an enduring effect on the sport of cycling in the region. Next year’s race coincides with another significant event for the nation – Expo 2020 Dubai – a world expo running from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
HE Aref Hamad Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council,”The UAE Tour has come a long way from the post Covid pandemic to plan for the fourth edition of the UAE Tour.
“After a challenging but successful 2021 UAE Tour amidst the Coronavirus pandemic we are now looking ahead to host the 2022 UCI WorldTour opener,” he said.
“The 2022 edition coincides with the Expo 2020 Dubai and we are really excited to be part of this global event. Obviously we are looking for a bigger event and play a bigger role to portray the UAE as a global venue”.
Fabrizio d’Amico, Chief Operating Officer of RCS Sports and Events DMCC said, “The UAE Tour has gone from strength to strength year on year and has remained the one and only World Tour race in the Middle East.
“As we look ahead to the 4th edition, we could not have got here without the tremendous and unwavering support received by the leadership of the country and government entities which were crucial in executing the race during the outbreak or the pandemic earlier this year.
“We are honored to work hand in hand with Abu Dhabi Sports Council to put this event on and thanks to their vision the race has cemented itself as one all top riders look forward to participating in.
“This is also a hugely exciting time for the UAE as they host Expo 2020 and we look forward to once again showcasing the beauty and capabilities of the UAE as a global sports organsier.”
Cycling fans can expect the announcement of the 2022 UAE Tour’s official route in January 2022. For more information about the UAE Tour, click here.
The 2022 UAE Tour’s official launch video is available here.
Tadej Pogačar wins Stage 3 of this year’s UAE Tour – the Slovenian went on to conquer the race
About Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) was established in 2006 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
ADSC is aligned to the emirate’s leadership vision to develop sport and youth activities. The Council promotes an effective, emirate-wide sports calendar that stimulates the desire to participate in quality sports among all Abu Dhabi residents and helps the talented and motivated reach their sporting potential.
The sports council supports the organisation and hosting of many international sporting events in Abu Dhabi.
These include the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, UAE Tour, WTA Abu Dhabi International Women’s Tennis Championship, World Triathlon Championship, Leaders Sports Business Summit, Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and IJF Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam.
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, Spartan World Championship, World Swimming Championships, Mubadala World Tennis Championships, and many other international events cement the reputation and position of Abu Dhabi as a global destination for sport.
ADSC believes that global and community sporting events provide many positive opportunities, most notably the encouragement of all segments and groups of society to practice sports activities.
Make the practice of sport a daily lifestyle, representing its positive impact on public health.
ADSC firmly believe that sporting events deliver a host of benefits for the emirate and its residents.
These include improved health and wellness, the building of community spirit, the discovering of local talent and enhancing the reputation of the emirate as a world-class sporting destination.
Caleb Ewan wins Stage 7 of this year’s UAE Tour
Photo Credit: LaPresse
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Dario Esposito
RCS Sport Cycling Press Office
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Stefano Diciatteo
RCS Sport Press Office Coordinator