Despite being a relatively young race—its first edition was held in 2019—the UAE Tour boasts a winners’ list reserved for elite cyclists. Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, Adam Yates, and Remco Evenepoel all feature on that roll of honor. For the upcoming edition (February 16–22), two more top-tier names are set to join the battle: Jonas Vingegaard and Isaac del Toro.
Both riders confirmed their participation in the Emirates race during their respective team presentations in recent weeks. The Mexican announced his debut in the UAE event last December, while the Dane did the same this past Tuesday at Visma’s official season launch. The fight for the overall title promises to be fierce—especially with a third contender in the mix.
AS has learned that race organizer RCS Sport has reached an agreement with Remco Evenepoel for the Belgian to return to the UAE Tour. Evenepoel previously competed in the event in 2019 (abandoning) and 2023, when he emerged victorious. Now riding for Red Bull Bora, he will complete the trio of star contenders. Neither Vingegaard nor Del Toro has won the overall classification before, though Vingegaard did take a stage win in 2021.
Interestingly, all three will meet again at the Tour de France later this year—their primary objective—though Del Toro will serve as a domestique for Pogačar. As such, the UAE Tour will serve as a high-level preview of what’s to come in the Grande Boucle. By coincidence, Vingegaard and Evenepoel will also face off after the Emirates race at the Volta a Catalunya, which will be the Dane’s final stop before his first Giro d’Italia.
The UAE Tour route will be unveiled on Monday, January 19. It will feature classic flat stages, a time trial, and two summit finishes that are expected to decide the champion: Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet. A mini tour through the desert awaits.