Tadej Pogacar poised for UAE Tour return in February

Dates confirmed for only World Tour race in Middle East with Team UAE Emirates’ recent Tour de France winner set to take part

Caleb Ewan approaches the finish line to win Stage 2 of the 2020 UAE Tour. Satish Kumar / For the National

Riders head for the finish line on Monday. Satish Kumar / For the National

Riders cross the finish line in Hatta. Satish Kumar / For the National

Caleb Ewan after winning Stage 2. Satish Kumar / For the National

Riders cross the finish line in Hatta. Satish Kumar / For the National

Caleb Ewan crosses the finish line. Satish Kumar / For the National

The peloton during Stage 2 of the UAE Tour. AFP

Riders after the finish on Stage 2 . Satish Kumar / For the National

Caleb Ewan, of Soudal Lotto, celebrates victory. Satish Kumar / For the National

The peloton during Stage 2 of the UAE Tour. AFP

Caleb Ewan crosses the finish line. AFP

Chris Froome, of Team Ineos, before Stage 2. AFP

The 2021 UAE Tour will take place from February 21-27, it was confirmed on Sunday.

The only World Tour race in the Middle East is set to draw all 18 World Tour teams and the cream of the cyclists worldwide, including the Team UAE Emirates’ recent Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar.

The 2020 UAE Tour, also held in February, was abandoned with two days left following the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

The Mitchelton–Scott’s British rider Adam Yates, who led after five days, was declared the winner ahead of Slovenian rider Pogacar and Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko of Astana.

Pogacar's countryman Primoz Roglic took the honours in the inaugural UAE Tour in 2019.

The last edition featured 20 teams, with 140 riders competing, including former world champions Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Chris Froome (Team Ineos), and the organisers are confident a similar star-studded line-up come February.

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Gallery: Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France