Course and results of UAE Tour 2025 | Milan wins opening stage in true test of endurance, time trial on Tuesday

After 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.

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)

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)

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?

Favorites:
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla)
Bart Lemmen (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
🕘 Start:  1:05 PM (local time) | 4.05 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish: 3:30 PM (local time) | 6.30 AM (EST)

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?

Favorites:
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto)
Iván Romeo (Movistar)

Times
🕘 Start: 12.05 PM (local time) | 3.05 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish: 4.30 PM (local time) | 7.30 AM (EST)

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?

Favorites:
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

Times
🕘 Start: 12:15 PM (UAE) | 3:15 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish 4:30 PM (UAE) | 7:30 AM (EST)

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.

Favorites:
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Times
🕘 Start: 12:55 PM (UAE) | 3:55 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish: 4:30 PM (UAE) | 7:30 AM (EST)

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.

Favorites:
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Times
🕘 Start: 12:50 PM (UAE) | 3:50 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish: 4:30 PM (UAE) | 7:30 AM (EST)

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.

Favorites:
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto)
Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe)

Times
🕘 Start: 11:45 AM (UAE) | 2:45 AM (EST)
🏁 Finish: 4:30 PM (UAE) | 7:30 AM (EST)

Favorites final classification 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.

Read also

Tadej Pogacar laughingly reveals the crazy power metrics he hits on a relaxing day in zone 2

Fourth last year in the Tour of Flanders, but now back as domestique: "Pogačar isn't afraid of Van der Poel or Van Aert"

Pogacar sparks speculation with Roubaix recon and powers through in Nice for season debut

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