Category: Previews

Dubai Miracle Garden > Dubai Harbour 122km The first of three sprint stages, but this is a day which could be impacted by the wind. The riders head out into the desert, do a little loop, then head back up the same road they came down. 

After last year’s first edition of the women’s UAE Tour, the pro peloton is back. Lidl-Trek dominated in 2023 and will hope to do so again this year, but they won’t get it all their own way. The sprint stages are different compared to last year, but it’s the same GC day with the climb...

Bétera > València 93km The race ends with the same final stage we had last year. Super short and very explosive. Last year, Vlasov, Ciccone and Geoghegan Hart went clear halfway up the final climb, Soler and Bilbao were able to join them just at the crest, and at that point McNulty’s legs feel off....

Teulada > la Vall d’Ebo 175km 175km and 3715m of climbing, that’s a big day in the saddle, especially at this time of year. The climbs in the first 100km will be used to soften the legs, all hell will break loose on the final two hills. This is the big GC day, get ready...

AlUla Old Town > Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid 150km Easy day, then one big effort. This is the reason the gaps are normally relatively small in this stage; everyone hits the climb feeling fresh. Of course, the steep slopes mean the climbers drop everyone else, but you’d be amazed at how well the rouleurs do...

Hegra > Maraya 142km After the echelons of stage 3, this should be a calmer day in the peloton. There is a chance of some splits, but the wind shouldn’t be as strong, so this one should end in a bunch sprint. This is the same finish they used in last year’s final stage; it’s...

San Vicent del Raspeig > Orihuela 161km The first, and only, sprint finish in Valenciana. As Jonathan Milan is the main sprinter in the peloton, everyone will be looking at Trek to control. They are down one man, so might need a little help chasing down the break. The good news is Wanty will likely...

AlUla International Airport > AlUla Camel Cup Track 171km After day for the sprinters. The race ends on a camel track, that’s a first for me. 

Canals > Mancomunitat de la Valldigna 163km After a brilliant day for the breakaway, this stage should be one for the peloton. There’s a cat 3 climb cresting with 10km to go, so it’s not a nailed-on sprint, the late attackers have a chance.

Winter Park > Sharaan Nature Reserve 199km A day where the wind could make the GC riders a little on the nervous side. The finish is also on the limit for the pure sprinters, but the durable sprinters will hope to be fighting for the win.