Cavendish, Bilbao, Groenewegen and Viviani confirmed for the UAE Tour

Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the organisers of the UAE Tour, are pleased to announce four more top riders expected to be among the protagonists in the fifth edition of the UAE Tour, taking place from 20-26 February.

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain - Victorious) returns to the Emirates 12 months after conquering third place on the final GC podium. Bilbao’s podium finish came as a result of his great performance on the Jebel Hafeet climb, where he surrendered only to eventual winner of the race Tadej Pogačar and runner-up Adam Yates. A two time stage winner at the Giro d’Italia, Bilbao has already raised his arms to the sky this season, winning Stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under and is now ready to show his form at the fifth edition of the UAE Tour.

Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), the reigning British champion and former road World Champion (2011), has a glittering history in the UAE, having taken seven victories in his five previous visits. His most recent win was in last season's UAE Tour, when he edged out Jasper Philipsen on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater to win Stage 2. With an impressive total of 34 Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish shares the record of all-time stage wins with cycling legend Eddy Merckx.

Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla) is just one of the many top sprinters expected to shine in the four stages suited to sprinters of this year's edition of the race. The Dutchman is a five-time stage winner of the Tour de France (between 2017 to 2022), and is no stranger to the UAE Tour, after winning Stage 4 in 2020. This year he has already proved his form, conquering Stage 1 of the Saudi Tour and is now ready to win in the one and only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East.

Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers) will also be on the hunt for stage wins at this year’s race. The Italian first rode the UAE Tour in 2019, taking a stage victory and the sprinter’s green jersey. Winner of the 2018 Dubai Tour, five stages at the Giro d’Italia, one stage at the Tour de France, and Olympic Champion in the omnium at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Viviani heads to the Emirates to target wins in stages 1,4,5 and 6.

A full list of riders will be announced in due course. To find out more about the UAE Tour, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetour.com.