Latest news with #UAETour
Khaleej Times
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE announces new cycling race on Jebel Jais with Dh10,000 in prizes
A new cycling challenge is set to take place on Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, on April 12, 2025. Jais Ride will see cyclists pushed to their limits as they ascend the mountain route of Jebel Jais — often ranked among the most scenic cycling routes in the region and one of the stages of the UAE Tour — with thrilling competitions at key split points along the 25km course. The race will feature a structured competition format, with prizes awarded across multiple categories; including a total of Dh10,000 distributed to the overall winners. The road, constructed in 2017, is considered among the best mountain roads in the world. With smooth, winding ascent, multiple switchbacks and dramatic elevation changes, it is a firm favourite among professional cyclists and endurance athletes. The upcoming race will enable participants to test their skills on this challenging yet rewarding route, with strategic checkpoints and sprint segments. Commenting on the launch of the race, Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, 'We are excited to introduce this thrilling new cycling event on Jebel Jais, offering cyclists the unique opportunity to test their endurance on one of the world's most breathtaking and challenging mountain roads. "As part of our commitment to establishing Ras Al Khaimah as a leading destination for outdoor adventure and sports, this tournament brings world-class sporting experiences to the emirate, showcasing its natural beauty and dynamic landscapes." Sprint Segment (Green Jersey Award): A 500-metre sprint section, with the winner to receive the Green Jersey Award for fastest sprinter. King of the Mountain (KOM) Points: The top 20 riders at each split point (7km, 14km, and 21km) will earn KOM points. The lead rider at each split will receive 20 points, with consecutive points awarded down to 20th place. Polka Dot Jersey Award: The rider with the highest total KOM points across all three splits (7km, 14km, and 21km) will be awarded the Polka Dot Jersey, recognising them as the best climber of the race. Yellow Jersey Award – Overall Winners: The top three cyclists to reach the summit will be crowned overall race winners and awarded the prestigious Yellow Jersey. With its challenging climb, rewarding summit finish, and spectacular scenery, this race is expected to attract elite and amateur cyclists alike from across the UAE and beyond. Participants can register for the event online for a hassle-free sign-up process, while complimentary refreshments will be provided on the day to ensure they are refuelled and hydrated. An awards ceremony will be held post-race to recognise the top finishers in each category. Ras Al Khaimah is widely recognised as the region's top sports and adventure tourism destinations, hosting internationally acclaimed sporting events such as the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the UAE Tour, and Highlander Adventure, the Middle East's leading hiking event. Standing at 1,934 metres above sea level, Jebel Jais is a global hotspot for adventure tourism and one of the UAE's most visited natural attractions.
Sharjah 24
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
UAE Tour 7th edition: Pogacar's historic victory echoes globally
Impressive coverage and global reactions The UAE Tour's completion has garnered widespread international attention, with specialized cycling websites offering extensive coverage. The "UAE Tour" is the only global race in the Middle East recognized by the International Cycling Union, organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. This year, the race spanned seven stages, covering a total distance of 1013.2 km, with 140 cyclists from 20 teams participating. Cycling website "Flow Bikes" highlighted Pogacar's dominance, noting that his performance ahead of the spring classic races and the Tour de France is a clear signal of his top form. Meanwhile, "Procycling" emphasized the picturesque desert landscape and Pogacar's record achievement on Jebel Hafeet, winning the title for the third time. Record-breaking performance Pogacar sealed his victory by winning the seventh and final stage at the summit of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. He covered the 176 km race in 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 4 seconds, defeating his closest competitor. This victory marked his 91st career win and solidified his record of three UAE Tour titles, a feat no other cyclist has achieved. In a statement on his Instagram, Pogacar expressed his gratitude: "We had a great week of competition in the beautiful desert. This exciting time has passed quickly. I congratulate the whole team after giving me the extra bonus for the upcoming period. Now we take a break to prepare for the classic races in Italy."
Gulf Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Tadej Pogacar wins the UAE Tour with mountain break
Tadej Pogacar rounded off his overall victory of the UAE Tour with a solo stage win on the Jabel Hafeet mountain on Sunday. The 26-year-old swept all before him in 2024 taking a rare Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and world championships triple, and the UAE Tour was his first outing on 2025. Pogacar attacked early on the 10km culminating climb to finish 33sec ahead on the day. "I didn't want to be surprised by a counter attack or anything. It was better to go at my own pace," the Slovenian explained. Italian climber Giulio Ciccone of Lidl-Trek was second Sunday and second overall at 1min 14sec, with Spanish rider Pello Bilbao of Bahrain coming third overall. Pogacar dominated the week-long race after coming third in Tuesday's time trial and then winning the first of two mountain stages on Wednesday. Riding for the UAE Emirates Team, Pogacar picked up his 90th win here and was already looking ahead to his busy spring one-day classics campaign. "Now I won't take part in any stage race until June so I will switch my mind to one-day classics and I hope to do well there," he said. Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan, also of Lidl-Trek, laid down a season marker in the stages that ended with bunch finishes with two wins and the overall points jersey ahead of Belgian Quick Step rider Tim Merlier. Josh Tarling of Ineos had led the young rider standings since winning the stage two time trial but dropped down to 10th on Sunday with Movistar's Ivan Romeo, 23, taking the white jersey.
Khaleej Times
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Tadej Pogacar delighted after winning UAE Tour title
Tadej Pogacar was delighted after producing a vintage display on Jebel Hafeet to win the seventh and final stage of the UAE Tour. In doing so, the world champion sealed the UAE Tour title, marking his third victory in this race and a perfect display on home roads for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The Slovenian rode clear from his rivals with 7.8km of the final climb still to go, having formed part of an elite selection that left the peloton behind in the crosswinds. Once out front on his own, Pogačar would not be caught and simply extended his advantage to the line. With enough time to offer up high fives to the fans in attendance, Pogačar could celebrate his victory at the finish and punch the air as the now three-time UAE Tour champion. 'It was a crosswinds so it was good to make some chaos in the group. For us GC riders we had to be really careful and always be attentive. Somehow it worked, at first I didn't believe it would be cooperative but it went to the finish, so for me it was a really good day," Pogacar said. The stage victory is the Slovenian's sixth at this race in his career, with today proving his third win atop the Jebel Hafeet Mountain. By wrapping up the general classification in style, Pogačar brings UAE Team Emirates-XRG its first title at the race since 2022. Earlier in the day, Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates Rune Herregodts and Florian Vermeersch had managed to manoeuvre their way into a handy position. With crosswinds whipping across the road at 125km to go, the trio placed themselves within an elite selection of riders that nipped off the front of the peloton. As the echelons formed, so too did the leading group which would come to define the day. Kilometre by kilometre, this front group escaped the clutches of the peloton, and they would not be seen again. Flanked by his teammates, Pogačar was in the perfect position to surf the wheels and enjoy a relaxed approach to the final climb. Beginning the Jebel Hafeet climb with an advantage of three minutes over the peloton behind – which included reigning UAE Tour champion Lennert Van (Lotto) – Vermeersch set the pace at the front of the race. Working on behalf of Pogačar, the Belgian produced a hard tempo right from the off and he would hand over to the reins to Herregodts with 8.3km to ride. Herregodts' effort was mighty, with the new UAE Team Emirates-XRG recruit burying himself over the next 500m to tee up Pogačar's ultimate attack. Literally riding himself to a standstill, Herregodts pulled off with 7.8km to go, at which point Pogačar decided it was time to fly. The Slovenian made not one, but two searing accelerations which delivered a hammer blow to his toughest initial competitors, Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek). Over the next kilometre, Pogačar settled into his rhythm and the gap to those behind began to grow. The two-time UAE Tour champion would soon complete the three-peat, with the race leader not to be caught before the finish. Coming across the line 33 seconds ahead of Ciccone, the world champion delivered his second stage victory of the week and sealed his third UAE Tour title. Pogačar now adds the 2025 edition to his victories from 2021 and 2022. 'With Florian and Rune in the front, they kept getting me water and cooling me down. For me, it was ideal. [I attacked with 7.8km to go because] that's when Rune pulled off his effort. The guys did a great job for me and I decided to try and go solo, I didn't want to be surprised or counterattacked or anything," Pogacar said. 'Now, I don't race stage races anymore until Dauphiné, so it's time to switch the mind to the one-day classics and I will try to enjoy!'
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Four-time Tour de France winner Froome breaks collarbone
Feb 23 (Reuters) - Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome suffered a broken collarbone in a crash during the final stage of the UAE Tour in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. "A CT scan has confirmed a distal non-displaced fracture of his right clavicle (collarbone). Chris will be examined (on Monday) by an orthopaedic surgeon in Dubai to determine whether surgery will be require," the team said in a statement. The British rider, who has won a total of seven Grand Tours, has struggled to return to his best form since being seriously injured in a high-speed crash during training for the 2019 Criterium du Dauphine. Froome's injury raises concerns about his fitness for what is expected to be his final season, having said in November he was dreaming of one last Tour de France before calling time on his illustrious career. The 39-year-old, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, twice winner of the Vuelta a Espana, and winner of the Giro d'Italia, has one year left on his contract with the Israeli Premier Tech team.
