Course and results of UAE Tour 2025 | Pogacar dominates with ease, sealing the deal in final stage
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Follow us on GoogleAfter the AlUla Tour and the Tour of Oman, the peloton is almost back in Europe, with the Belgian opening weekend just around the corner. But before the riders return, it's time for the seventh edition of the UAE Tour. With Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij, Jonathan Milan, and Jasper Philipsen, the top sprinters in the world are all set to battle. Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar will make his season debut.
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The UAE Tour has already seen big winners like Remco Evenepoel, Primož Roglič, and Pogacar. But last year, an unexpected Belgian took the overall victory—Lennert Van Eetvelt secured the title by dropping everyone on Jebel Hafeet in the final stage, claiming his first WorldTour win.
From February 17 to February 23, expect battles on multiple fronts in the United Arab Emirates. With four flat stages, the sprinters will have their time to shine, though crosswinds could create chaos. And the big question—who can challenge Pogacar on Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, where he's been unstoppable in previous years?
Practical information UAE Tour 2025
- Monday, Feb. 17 - Sunday, Feb. 23
- Participants
- Classification: 2.UWT (WorldTour)
Most recent winners UAE Tour
2024 Lennert Van Eetvelt (Belgium)
2023 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
2022 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2021 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2020 Adam Yates (United Kingdom)
2019 Primoz Roglic (Slovenia)
2023 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
2022 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2021 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2020 Adam Yates (United Kingdom)
2019 Primoz Roglic (Slovenia)
Route, Stage favorites, and timings – UAE Tour 2025
Stage 1, Monday, Feb. 17: Shams - Liwa (138 km)
The first stage of the UAE Tour immediately presents an opportunity for the sprinters. The route isn’t entirely straight, but it doesn't feature significant elevation, meaning the fast men will have no trouble getting to the finish. However, the final meters have a slight uphill incline, so the winner will need strong legs to power through. Who will win the first sprint showdown and wear the leader’s jersey into Stage 2?
Winner:
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 2, Tuesday, Feb. 18: Al Hudayriyat - Al Hudayriyat (12.2 km)
After the relatively flat opening stage, day 2 of the UAE tour features a short 12-kilometer time trial. The race against the clock is completely straight with no elevation changes, making it perfect for powerful time trial specialists. Will Pogacar make his first big move here or will he wait for stage 3 to strike?
Winner:
Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers)
Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 3, Wednesday, Feb. 19: Ras al Khaimah - Jebel Jais (179 km)
Time to climb! The third stage of the UAE Tour finishes on the Jebel Jais. The decisive climb is nearly 20 kilometers long, with an average gradient of 5.6%—a long, steady ascent rather than an explosive one. Still, it will be a decisive day for the general classification. Will Pogacar hold back for a while longer or will the Slovenian already take control of the GC in stage 3?
Winner:
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 4, Thursday, Feb. 20: Fujairah - Umm al Quwain (181 km)
After yesterday’s mountain stage, the sprinters get another opportunity. Despite a slightly uphill start, the final 130 kilometers are mostly downhill, making this a dream finish for the fast men. Will one of the top favorites win again, or will we see a surprise in the sprint?
Winner:
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 5, Friday, Feb. 21: Dubai - Dubai (160 km)
For those who missed out on victory yesterday, stage 5 offers a chance for redemption. The 160-kilometer route around Dubai could see crosswinds and echelons playing a role, but a high-speed sprint finish in the “City of Gold” is expected.
Winner:
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 6, Saturday, Feb. 22: Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi (167 km)
One final chance for the sprinters to go for a stage win. The sixth stage is similar to stage 5, with few surprises expected—except for possible crosswinds. After 167 kilometers, this will likely be the last chance for the fast men, as they will have nothing to gain in the final mountain stage.
Winner:
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 7, Sunday, Feb. 23: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet (176 km)
The final stage of the UAE Tour is now a tradition, ending on Jebel Hafeet. If the general classification is still undecided, this stage will determine the winner. But with all-rounder Pogacar on the start list, it’s safe to assume that by now, we’ll already know who the winner of the seventh edition of the UAE Tour is.
Winner:
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Favorites GC UAE Tour 2025
The top favorite for overall victory is undoubtedly Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian was unbeatable last year and will be looking to end UAE Team Emirates’ title drought in their home race. But will it be that easy? Crosswinds are always a potential threat, and the biggest challenge—besides the wind—may come from Lotto Dstny. The Belgian team brings defending champion Lennert Van Eetvelt to the start, but a repeat victory seems unlikely.
On the start list for Movistar is Iván Romeo, who made a strong impression in Valencia, including winning a stage. At Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe, Finn Fisher-Black—who impressed at the Tour Down Under—will be the team’s leader. Also lining up is Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL), who, like Fisher-Black, managed to make an excellent impression at the Tour Down Under.
Pello Bilbao dominantly won in Valencia
For INEOS Grenadiers, Carlos Rodríguez will lead the team in the UAE Tour. The Spaniard already showed strong form in Valencia, finishing sixth in the overall classification. Another rider who stood out in Valencia was Pello Bilbao, the Bahrain Victorious rider secured third place overall and hopes to carry that momentum forward.
And what can Bart Lemmen and Thomas Gloag do? Lemmen already performed well in last year’s UAE Tour, while Gloag showed strong form in the Tour Down Under. We’re also keeping an eye on Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), and Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana). These are riders we haven’t seen much of this season yet, but they could emerge as serious contenders.
According to IDLProCycling.com, who are the favorites for the overall victory of the UAE Tour 2025?
Top favorite: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Outsiders: Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious), Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) and Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers)
Long shots: Iván Romeo (Movistar), Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe), Bart Lemmen and Thomas Gloag (Visma | Lease a Bike), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana)
TV coverage UAE Tour 2025
The seventh edition of the WorldTour stage race will be broadcast on Eurosport and HBO Max. Note: The stages take place in the early morning (EST time), with the finish usually between 7 AM and 8 AM. After each stage, IDLProCycling.com will feature a race report and the most important reactions.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026