A very different looking race. Over the years the organisers have always found horrible little climbs to include in the race, suiting puncheurs, but this year they are trying something totally different. The initial reaction is horror, but I’m willing to give the new route a chance. 

Umm al Quwain > Jebel Mobrah 183km Huge GC day over in the UAE Tour, and the first time we get to see Jebel Mobrah. In terms of pure numbers, the mountain can be compared to the l’Angliru, but it’s a soulless climb which takes place on a main road, so there’s not really a comparison to be made. Most are seeing this as Evenepoel v Del Toro, but this type of climb can throw up a surprise or two, it takes a very unique skillset to cope with the steep gradients.

Vila Real de Santo António > Tavira 184km The race kicks off with a sprint stage finishing in Tavira.

The peloton rolls into the Algarve and are ready for the 52nd edition of the race. After losing out to Vingegaard in 2025, home hero, João Almeida is back to try and win the title for the first time.

Hudayriyat Island > Hudayriyat Island 12.2km ITT Time trial day over in the UAE Tour. Del Toro took a stunning win in the opening stage, that kid is absolute dynamite. He’ll start last, but everyone else can choose their start time as if it was a stage 1 ITT, it’s a weird rule in this race. Teams had to submit the order on the evening of the 15th, at that point they’d have been all over the weather forecast.

Úbeda > Úbeda 155km Do you like some gravel? It’s the 5th edition of the race, normally a very exciting day. There are 6 sectors, totalling 25km of gravel/white road. 

Madinat Zayed Majlis > Lisa Palace 145km The opening stage of the race, one where the GC riders will be nervously checking the weather forecast. Will the wind blow? Will we get echelons? I hope so.

The 8th edition of the UAE Tour and without Pogačar, UAE are looking towards Isaac Del Toro and Adam Yates to win their home race. Looking to stop them is Remco Evenepoel, after a brilliant start to the season he’s hoping to win this race for the second time.

Rognac > Arles 205km The final stage in Provence and it’s a long one, over 200km is a shift at this time of the year. The peloton messed up the chase on Friday, the sprinters will be hoping for a chance of taking the win.

Sagunt > Valencia 121km Good news people, the wind has weakened, and stage 4 should go ahead as planned. Will it end in a sprint like last year, or will the GC riders get away on the climb?