The official route for the third edition of the UAE Tour Women has been announced in the United Arab Emirates on 21st January 2025. The UAE Tour race organisers, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, are pleased to confirm that this year’s edition of the women’s race will run from 6th to 9th February.
As the only women’s UCI World Tour race held in the Middle East, the UAE Tour Women’s race has consolidated its position as a premier event on the international cycling calendar. The 2024 edition of the Tour Women saw Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, wearing the world champion’s rainbow jersey, triumph in the women’s race.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council said, “The UAE Tour and UAE Tour Women will once again be part of the UCI World Tour in 2025, reaffirming their status as the most prestigious races in the Middle East. For this special edition, we have designed two routes that increasingly cover most of the Emirates, as the UAE Tour aims to act as a powerful driver for tourism. This year’s race will be particularly exciting, with great champions such as the UCI World Champion, Giro d’Italia and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar set to start in the men’s race, and Giro d’Italia Women and UAE Tour Women first edition winner Elisa Longo Borghini confirmed to take part in the women’s race. Hosting such exceptional talent is a huge honour and a testament to the success of our efforts to establish the UAE Tour as a cornerstone of cycling in our region. This recognition validates our commitment to making this event a key fixture in the global cycling calendar”.
Fabrizio D’Amico, Chief Operating Officer RCS Sports and Events and UAE Tour Director said, “We are excited and ready for the seventh edition of the UAE Tour and the third edition of the UAE Tour Women, made possible once again by the leadership of the country, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and all our stakeholders.
The UAE Tour, both Men and Women, has always been a symbol of excellence and this year will be no different. Once again this year, we have an impressive line-up of cycling champions ready to take on the challenges of every stage. We are proud to support and foster the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global cycling destination, while also promoting the sport as a recreational and healthy activity. I look forward to welcoming all participants and fans to these incredible event”.
THE ROUTE OF THE 3RD UAE TOUR WOMEN
06.02.2025 Stage 1 Dubai Police Officer’s Club-Dubai Harbour, 149 KM
07.02.2025 Stage 2 Al Dhafra Fort-Al Mirfa, 111 KM
08.02.2025 Stage 3 Al Ain Qasr Al Muwaiji-Jebel Hafeet, 152 KM
09.02.2025 Stage 4 Abu Dhabi Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy-Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 128 KM
STAGE 1, DUBAI POLICE OFFICER’S CLUB-DUBAI HARBOUR, 149 KM
The route
A stage in Dubai. Starting at the Dubai Police Officer’s Club, the race will pass the classic sites of these stages such as Deira, the Dubai Safari Park, the Al Qudra Cycle Track and Umm Suqeim to reach Palm Jumeirah, and finish in Dubai Harbour. The entire route will wind along very wide and substantially straight roads, interspersed with roundabouts that have a very large radius and are well paved.
Final kilometres
The finale is on a wide avenue and the finish line is on asphalt.
STAGE 2, AL DHAFRA FORT-AL MIRFA, 111 KM
The Route
The desert stage. This starts from Al Dhafra Fort in the desert to reach Madinat Zayed. There are wide, straight roads punctuated by sequences of roundabouts as the route arrives in the built-up area. After passing the city, the route crosses the desert again for over 60 km toward the coast, heading directly to Al Mirfa.
Final kilometres
The finale takes place on a wide road with perfect pavement and just one curve at a roundabout before the final straight. The finishing straight is 8 metres wide and on asphalt.
STAGE 3, AL AIN QASR AL MUWAIJI-JEBEL HAFEET, 152 KM
The Route
The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. In the first part, the route winds its way through Al Ain, where many of its landmarks (Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, UAE University) are visited, then takes a long ride through the desert along Truck Road E30 and eventually returns to Green Mubazzarah. Here begins the final climb of Jebel Hafeet, which – at 10 km long – will be the final judge of the race.
Final kilometres
The final climb winds through wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are mainly around 8-9%, peaking at 11% with 3 km to go. There is a very short descent in the last km, before the closing ramp. The finish line is on straight asphalt.
STAGE 4, ABU DHABI FATIMA BINT MUBARAK LADIES ACADEMY-ABU DHABI BREAKWATER, 128 KM
The Route
A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. Starting at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy, the first part of the route heads towards Khalifa City and then on to Yas Marina. It returns to Abu Dhabi City and passes over Saadiyat Island and on Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island and Yifenah Island. It then passes through Qasr Al Hosn, arriving at Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
Final kilometres
The last 5 km are on a wide road with large half-curves leading to the finish line on tarmac.
The route promises to bring challenges and thrilling action when the peloton of talented female riders line up at the start in Dubai on February 6th.
