His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, attended part of the seventh and final stage of the UAE Tour 2026, held in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Ports Group. His Highness followed the action during the race’s concluding stage and greeted the participating riders, praising the high technical standard and strong sportsmanship that reflect the prestigious status of the Tour on the international cycling calendar.
The eighth edition of the UAE Tour 2026 — the only global race in the Middle East on the calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale — concluded after seven stages covering a total distance of 1,004.2 km, with the participation of 147 riders representing 21 international teams. The race was organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
The seventh and final stage, the “Abu Dhabi Ports Group Stage,” was won by Italian rider Jonathan Milan of Lidl–Trek, who completed the 149 km route in 2 hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds.
Mexican rider Isaac del Toro was crowned overall champion of the UAE Tour 2026. The UAE Team Emirates XRG rider secured the title following his standout performance in the penultimate stage in Al Ain, maintaining his time advantage over his closest rival, Italian cyclist Antonio Tiberi, during the final stage in Abu Dhabi.
Del Toro claimed the 2026 title after topping the general classification with a total time of 21 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds, earning the Red Jersey sponsored by Abu Dhabi Ports Group. Jonathan Milan won the Green Jersey, sponsored by Mubadala, as the points classification leader with 70 points. Del Toro also secured the White Jersey, sponsored by Burjeel Holdings, awarded to the best young rider under 25. Meanwhile, Swiss rider Silvan Dillier of Alpecin–Deceuninck claimed the Black Jersey, sponsored by Aldar, for leading the intermediate sprints classification. UAE Team Emirates XRG was also crowned Best Team of the eighth edition.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Director of the International Events Department at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, flagged off the final stage from Zayed National Museum. The winners were crowned at the Breakwater area on the Abu Dhabi Corniche by H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Secretary-General of the Zayed Higher Organization, H.E. Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, H.E. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council, Alia Al Hosani, Executive Director of Community Management at Aldar, Eid Adwan, General Manager of Breitling, Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafli representing Integrated Transport, Dr. Narinda Sonegra, Regional Operations Director at Burjeel Holdings, and Mohammed Al Darmaki, General Manager of Corporate Excellence at Aldar.
The stage start also featured a spectacular aerial display by the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatic team, which dazzled spectators and added a festive atmosphere to the global event, reflecting pride and reinforcing the Tour’s international standing.
Al Awani: UAE Tour reflects the UAE’s leadership in hosting major global sporting events
H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani congratulated the UAE leadership on the outstanding organisational success of the eighth edition of the UAE Tour, praising the exceptional level of preparation and execution, which underscores the UAE’s leading position in hosting and organising major international sporting events.
Al Awani also extended his congratulations on UAE Team Emirates’ achievement in winning the eighth edition title, describing it as a new addition to the UAE’s distinguished sporting record. He congratulated the team’s management, technical and administrative staff, and riders — particularly the crowned champion — commending the significant efforts made to secure this achievement in the name of the UAE, further strengthening the team’s position on the global professional cycling map and reaffirming its continued excellence.
He added: “We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who contributed to the organisational success of the UAE Tour — sponsors, partners, volunteers and media representatives — as well as the organising team whose exceptional efforts and high professionalism played a key role in delivering an event that reflects the name and stature of the UAE on the international stage.”
