United Arab Emirates, January 24: The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the first-ever edition of the Women’s UAE Tour have been announced.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the race organisers, are pleased to confirm that the first edition of the race will start in Dubai and finish in Abu Dhabi.
As the first-ever UCI Women’s WorldTour race in the Middle East, the route of the UAE Tour Women will total 468 km and will see riders take on the UAE’s unique and varied terrain, passing significant landmarks. From 9 to 12 February, the four stages present several challenges for the riders, with three for the sprinters, and a stage finish suited to the climbers. The race concludes atop of the Jebel Hafeet, the same climb featured in the Men’s race (averaging 8-9% gradients). It is here where Tadej Pogacar has previously won the stage of the last three editions of the UAE Tour.
The introduction of the event into the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar is hugely important for international cycling. It showcases the growth of the sport and offers local cycling fans greater opportunities to experience world-class racing within the region.
Full stage descriptions and sponsors for the 2023 Women’s UAE Tour are listed below.
Stage 1: Port Rashid – Dubai Harbour (109 KM)
A stage in Dubai. Departing from Port Rashid and crossing the city, the route touches classic locations of the UAE Tour such as Ras al Khor, Meydan Racecourse, Umm Suqeim and Dubai Sports City to reach the base of Palm Jumeirah, and the arrival in Dubai Harbour. The entire route runs along very wide, straight and well paved roads, interspersed with large roundabouts.
Last kms
Ending on a wide avenue, with the arrival to the finish line on asphalt.
Stage 2: Al Dhafra Castle – Al Mirfa (133 KM)
The stage of the desert. Stage 2 starts from Al Dhafra Castle in the desert, and reaches Madinat Zayed along wide and straight roads. After the city it crosses the desert again for over 60 km towards the coast, heading directly towards Al Mirfa.
Last kms
Final section is on a wide road, perfect pavement and only one bend on a roundabout, before the final straight. The finish line is on asphalt 8m wide.
Stage 3: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium – Jebel Hafeet (107 KM)
The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. In the first part, the route winds through Al Ain, where many of the symbolic places are visited (including Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, UAE University). It then makes a passage through the desert, along the Truck Road E30 and returns to Al Ain for the classic passage of Green Mubazzarah. Here the final climb of Jebel Hafeet begins, where its final 10 km will be the judge of the race.
Last kms
The final climb winds through wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients mainly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% at 3 km from the finish. Very short descent in the last km before a final ramp upwards. The finish straight is on asphalt.
Stage 4: Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (119 KM)
A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. Departure is from the Sports Academy where the first part of the route heads northward to Khalifa City and then to the industrial area of Khalifa Port. It then converges on Yas Marina to go to Saadiyat Island, touching the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Corniche, until arriving at Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
Last kms
Last 5 km is on a wide road with large semi-curves that lead to the finish line on asphalt.
The Official Leader Jerseys
The official race jerseys will be provided by Italian brand, Alé, a company with a deep feminine soul. Alé knows the importance of offering women technical, comfortable garments with a specially designed fit and unique style. The brand’s love for women’s cycling led to the birth of the Alé BTC Ljubljana women’s team in 2011, later becoming the first Italian team to join the UCI World Tour in 2020.
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Sponsor: Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy
Design: Features a floral motif that shows elegance, femininity and sinuosity, representing Fatima Bint Mubarak, the mother of the nation.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
Sponsor: Bike Abu Dhabi
Design: Features a silhouette of the famous Mount Everest, celebrating Nayla Al Baloushi, the first Emirati woman to scale the mountain.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider (U25) in the overall classification by time.
Sponsor: Abu Dhabi 360
Design: Features vector lines that symbolise speed and dynamism, and represents Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum, the first female commercial pilot captain.
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained more Intermediate Sprint Points than any other rider.
Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi
Design: Features a pattern that represents space, honouring Nora Al Matrooshi, the first female Arabi and Emirati astronaut.