Latest news with #UAETour
France 24
01-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Hinault backs 'complete rider' Pogacar for Tour de France glory
Hinault is one of four riders, along with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain to have won the Tour five times but he believes Pogacar can close on that group by adding to his victories in 2020, 2021 and 2024. "For me, yes, he is the favourite, unless he has a major breakdown but I don't believe that at all," Hinault told AFP. "When you see what he was able to do in the Dauphine, he was in control, he did what he wanted, when he wanted. "Pogacar, when he sees that he has the chance to pull the trigger he pulls the trigger -- a bit like Eddy (Merckx). "When he attacks, as he did at the world championships, with 100 kilometres to go, everyone says: 'what a stupid thing to do'. At the end, he won. And that's fabulous to see." The Team UAE rider started the season by taking his 'home' UAE Tour, then won four one-day races, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege, finishing on the podium in three others. He ended his Tour preparation with a brilliantly controlled performance in the eight-day Criterium du Dauphine when he beat Jonas Vingegaard -- his main rival for the Tour and himself looking for a third title -- by 59 seconds. The 26-year-old Slovenian goes into this year's Tour, his sixth, with an extraordinary record in his previous five, having clocked two second-places behind Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023 to go with his three victories. Hinault, 70, sees him as a genuine challenger for the record of Tour wins. "I think that Pogacar will really leave his mark on cycling for a few years to come," says Hinault. "He is perhaps the only one who will be able to beat the record. "He is only 26 years old. When you look at the list of victories he's already won, he's well on schedule. "He's already won three Tours de France, the Giro d'Italia, the world championship title, the classics... He's a complete rider." Hinault -- known as 'The Badger' during his career -- was less hopeful that this year's race might yield the first French winner since his last victory 40 years ago in 1985. "We're a bit sad that we haven't had a Frenchman win the Tour," he said. "We're still a cycling country, we still have some of the best races in the world, and then all of a sudden, nothing. "That's life, that's the way it is. We don't have super champions with extraordinary physical abilities, like some nations. © 2025 AFP
The South African
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Tour de France: UAE name powerful line-up to support Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar will set off in defence of his Tour de France title on Saturday, 5 July backed by a powerful squad which his UAE team unveiled on Friday. The 26-year-old Slovenian has ridden the three-week Tour five times, winning three and finishing second to Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023. 'It's hard to believe it's already my sixth Tour de France, time flies,' he said in the team press release. He started the season by taking the UAE Tour, then won four one-day races, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege, finishing on the podium in three others. He ended his Tour preparation by winning the penultimate warm-up event, the eight-day Criterium du Dauphine. 'I'm lucky to have had close to the perfect preparation this year – everything has gone really smoothly,' said Pogacar. He will be backed by five of the team-mates who helped him to victory in the Dauphine – Marc Soler, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narvaez. Reflecting the depth of the UAE squad, they will be joined by Adam Yates and Joao Almeida, who both finished in the top six in last year's Tour de France. In Pogacar's absence, Almeida won the final Tour warm-up, the Tour of Switzerland, for his third stage-race victory this season. 'The vibes in the team are amazing right now, and that gives me a lot of confidence,' said Pogacar. Joao Almeida (POR), Jhonatan Narvaez (ECU), Tadej Pogacar (SLO), Nils Politt (GER), Pavel Sivakov (FRA), Marc Soler (ESP), Tim Wellens (BEL), Adam Yates (GBR) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
France 24
27-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
UAE name powerful team to support Pogacar in Tour de France
The 26-year-old Slovenian has ridden the three-week Tour five times, winning three and finishing second to Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023. "It's hard to believe it's already my sixth Tour de France, time flies," he said in the team press release. He started the season by taking the UAE Tour, then won four one-day races, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege, finishing on the podium in three others. He ended his Tour preparation by winning the penultimate warm-up event, the eight-day Criterium du Dauphine. "I'm lucky to have had close to the perfect preparation this year — everything has gone really smoothly," said Pogacar. He will be backed by five of the team-mates who helped him to victory in the Dauphine -- Marc Soler, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narvaez. Reflecting the depth of the UAE squad, they will be joined by Adam Yates and Joao Almeida, who both finished in the top six in last year's Tour de France. In Pogacar's absence, Almeida won the final Tour warm-up, the Tour of Switzerland, for his third stage-race victory this season. "The vibes in the team are amazing right now, and that gives me a lot of confidence," said Pogacar. Team UAE Tour de France squad: Joao Almeida (POR), Jhonatan Narvaez (ECU), Tadej Pogacar (SLO), Nils Politt (GER), Pavel Sivakov (FRA), Marc Soler (ESP), Tim Wellens (BEL), Adam Yates (GBR).
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."
