A total of 125 cyclists from around the world pedal-powered their way from and back to Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday (25 February) for the 180km Stage 6 sprint of the UAE Tour 2022, won by Czech rider Mathias Vacek in a time of 3:58:10.
The fourth edition of the event – organised by the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Sports Councils – saw 20 teams, including one from the UAE, participate in a race that also took the riders through the desert and past many of Dubai’s iconic landmarks.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020, waved the flag to start the race across from the UAE Pavilion. His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Dubai Sports Council Secretary General, and His Excellency Aref Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council Secretary General, were also present.
HE Hareb said: “We are happy to welcome the UAE Tour and the special stage to the Expo. Expo is special. It is one of the biggest events in the world. It has 192 pavilions representing countries from across the globe. And for the race to start and finish at Expo is like cycling across the world. That is its meaning to us. It is very, very important, with different nationalities participating.”
From the Expo site, the race passed through Dubai Sports City, then on to Silicon Oasis in Dubai Festival City, Ras Al Khor, Meydan Racecourse and Dubai Design District. After exiting Sheikh Zayed Road en route to Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the race followed Al Wasl Road and headed to Al Safa, then the Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis Dubai hotel, before heading back to Dubai Harbour, Dubai Marina, Discovery Gardens and Expo.
Nineteen-year-old Vacek was the overall Stage 6 winner, while Slovenian Tadej Pogačar, who raced for the UAE team, retained the red leader’s jersey ahead of Saturday’s (26 February) seventh and final round – a 148km climb from Al Jahili Fort to Jebel Hafeet.
The winner of the UAE Tour will receive a golden shield consisting of seven sides, symbolising the seven emirates.
The UAE Tour, an annual road cyclingrace, began on 20 February and is the only cycling event in the UCI World Tour held in the Middle East. It is also the first in the annual calendar of 33 road cycling events.