UAE Tour

The route typically opens with flat stages around Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where sprint teams control the pace and wind direction becomes a tactical variable. Echelons are possible but not guaranteed. The decisive stages come later in the week, when the race heads east toward Jebel Hafeet or Jebel Jais. These climbs are short by European standards but steep enough to create meaningful gaps, especially when riders are still finding their legs in February. Time bonuses at stage finishes can matter as much as the climbing itself. The final general classification is usually settled on the summit finishes, though a strong time trialist can gain time if the route includes a race against the clock. Sprinters who survive the mountains can still win stages late in the week, making it a race with multiple narratives running in parallel.