Pogačar starts the season at the UAE Tour
The UAE Team Emirates - XRG managers know that they must keep their sponsors happy, and after two years of absence, they are bringing their top star, Tadej Pogačar (1200), back to their home race. Thus, the season for the best cyclist of the 21st century kicks off at the UAE Tour, where another victory for the Slovenian is expected. He already won the Emirati race in 2021 and 2022.
Route
The 2025 UAE Tour presents a familiar course, featuring four sprint finishes, a 12 km individual time trial, and the two iconic summit finishes at Jebel Jais (19 km at 5.6%) and Jebel Hafeet (10.9 km at 6.7%).
Favorites
As mentioned, Tadej Pogačar (1200) is the top favorite for the overall classification. Other contenders include Carlos Rodríguez (1200), Pello Bilbao (800), Felix Gall (1000), Luke Plapp (600), Oscar Onley (600), Jay Vine (600), and last year’s winner, Lennert Van Eetvelt (600).
For the sprints, Jasper Philipsen (1200), Tim Merlier (1000), Olav Kooij (1000), Dylan Groenewegen (800), Jonathan Milan (1000), Phil Bauhaus (800), Fabio Jakobsen (600), Gerben Thijssen (600), and Sam Welsford (400) are among the fastest on paper.
Photo: © UAE Tour