# 2021 UAE Tour

The 2021 UAE Tour was a road cycling stage race that took place between 21 and 27 February 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. It was the third edition of the UAE Tour and the first race of the 2021 UCI World Tour.

## Teams

All nineteen UCI WorldTeams were joined by one UCI ProTeam to make up the twenty teams that participated in the race. Each team entered seven riders, except for EF Education–Nippo with six, for a total of 139 riders, of which 125 finished.
UCI WorldTeams
* AG2R Citroën Team
* Astana–Premier Tech
* Bora–Hansgrohe
* Cofidis
* Deceuninck–Quick-Step
* EF Education–Nippo
* Groupama–FDJ
* Ineos Grenadiers
* Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux
* Israel Start-Up Nation
* Lotto–Soudal
* Movistar Team
* Team Bahrain Victorious
* Team BikeExchange
* Team DSM
* Team Jumbo–Visma
* Team Qhubeka Assos
* Trek–Segafredo
* UAE Team Emirates
UCI ProTeams
* Alpecin–Fenix

## Route

Stage characteristics and winners :
| Stage | Date | Course | Distance | Type | Type | Stage winner |
| 1 | 21 February | Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa | 176 km (109 mi) | | Flat stage | Mathieu van der Poel (NED) |
| 2 | 22 February | Al Hudayriat Island | 13 km (8.1 mi) | | Individual time trial | Filippo Ganna (ITA) |
| 3 | 23 February | Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet | 166 km (103 mi) | | Mountain stage | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) |
| 4 | 24 February | Al Marjan Island to Al Marjan Island | 204 km (127 mi) | | Flat stage | Sam Bennett (IRL) |
| 5 | 25 February | Fujairah City to Jebel Jais | 170 km (110 mi) | | Mountain stage | Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) |
| 6 | 26 February | Deira Islands to Palm Jumeirah | 168 km (104 mi) | | Flat stage | Sam Bennett (IRL) |
| 7 | 27 February | Yas Mall to Abu Dhabi | 147 km (91 mi) | | Flat stage | Caleb Ewan (AUS) |
| Total | Total | 1,044 km (649 mi) | 1,044 km (649 mi) | 1,044 km (649 mi) | 1,044 km (649 mi) | 1,044 km (649 mi) |

## Stages
### Stage 1
#### 21 February 2021 — Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa, 176 km (109 mi)

Stage 1 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel (NED) | Alpecin–Fenix | 3h 45' 47" |
| 2 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 0" |
| 3 | Emīls Liepiņš (LAT) | Trek–Segafredo | + 0" |
| 4 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 0" |
| 5 | Elia Viviani (ITA) | Cofidis | + 0" |
| 6 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | + 0" |
| 7 | Anthony Roux (FRA) | Groupama–FDJ | + 0" |
| 8 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 3" |
| 9 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 3" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 3" |
General classification after Stage 1 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel (NED) | Alpecin–Fenix | 3h 45' 37" |
| 2 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 4" |
| 3 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6" |
| 4 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 7" |
| 5 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | + 8" |
| 6 | Emīls Liepiņš (LAT) | Trek–Segafredo | + 10" |
| 7 | Elia Viviani (ITA) | Cofidis | + 10" |
| 8 | Anthony Roux (FRA) | Groupama–FDJ | + 10" |
| 9 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 10" |
| 10 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 13" |

### Stage 2
#### 22 February 2021 – Al Hudayriat Island, 13 km (8.1 mi) (ITT)

After a round of COVID-19 testing on 21 February returned a positive result for an Alpecin–Fenix staff member, the entire team, including overnight race leader Mathieu van der Poel, withdrew from the race. Consequently, David Dekker, who was second overall, wore the red jersey of the leader of the general classification on Stage 2. He was due to wear the white jersey of the leader of the young rider classification, but that jersey was worn by Tadej Pogačar, who was third in the young rider classification, as the second-placed young rider, João Almeida, wore the green jersey of the leader of the points classification, which had also been led by van der Poel. Almeida had been leading the sprints classification, so the black jersey was worn by second-placed Mattia Cattaneo.
Stage 2 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | Ineos Grenadiers | 13' 56" |
| 2 | Stefan Bissegger (SUI) | EF Education–Nippo | + 14" |
| 3 | Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) | UAE Team Emirates | + 21" |
| 4 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | + 24" |
| 5 | Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Astana–Premier Tech | + 30" |
| 6 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 30" |
| 7 | Max Walscheid (GER) | Team Qhubeka Assos | + 32" |
| 8 | Stefan de Bod (RSA) | Astana–Premier Tech | + 33" |
| 9 | Daniel Martínez (COL) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 36" |
| 10 | Matthias Brändle (AUT) | Israel Start-Up Nation | + 38" |
General classification after Stage 2 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 4h 00' 05" |
| 2 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 5" |
| 3 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 18" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 33" |
| 5 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 39" |
| 6 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 41" |
| 7 | Anthony Roux (FRA) | Groupama–FDJ | + 45" |
| 8 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 46" |
| 9 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 47" |
| 10 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 48" |

### Stage 3
#### 23 February 2021 – Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet, 166 km (103 mi)

Stage 3 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 3h 58' 35" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 0" |
| 3 | Sergio Higuita (COL) | EF Education–Nippo | + 48" |
| 4 | Emanuel Buchmann (GER) | Bora–Hansgrohe | + 48" |
| 5 | Harm Vanhoucke (BEL) | Lotto–Soudal | + 48" |
| 6 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 48" |
| 7 | Florian Stork (GER) | Team DSM | + 54" |
| 8 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 54" |
| 9 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 00" |
| 10 | Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA) | AG2R Citroën Team | + 1' 09" |
General classification after Stage 3 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 7h 58' 30" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 43" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 03" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 43" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 45" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 36" |
| 7 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 38" |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 2' 39" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 3' 32" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 4' 47" |

### Stage 4
#### 24 February 2021 – Al Marjan Island to Al Marjan Island, 204 km (127 mi)

Stage 4 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Sam Bennett (IRL) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 4h 51' 51" |
| 2 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 0" |
| 3 | Caleb Ewan (AUS) | Lotto–Soudal | + 0" |
| 4 | Elia Viviani (ITA) | Cofidis | + 0" |
| 5 | Matteo Moschetti (ITA) | Trek–Segafredo | + 0" |
| 6 | Pascal Ackermann (GER) | Bora–Hansgrohe | + 0" |
| 7 | Phil Bauhaus (GER) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 0" |
| 8 | Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) | Team Qhubeka Assos | + 0" |
| 9 | Fernando Gaviria (COL) | UAE Team Emirates | + 0" |
| 10 | Kaden Groves (AUS) | Team BikeExchange | + 0" |
General classification after Stage 4 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 12h 50' 21" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 43" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 03" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 43" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 45" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 36" |
| 7 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 2' 38" |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 38" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 3' 32" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 4' 47" |

### Stage 5
#### 25 February 2021 – Fujairah City to Jebel Jais, 170 km (110 mi)

Stage 5 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) | Team Jumbo–Visma | 4h 19' 08" |
| 2 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | + 3" |
| 3 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 3" |
| 4 | Sergio Higuita (COL) | EF Education–Nippo | + 5" |
| 5 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6" |
| 6 | Nick Schultz (AUS) | Team BikeExchange | + 6" |
| 7 | Sepp Kuss (USA) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 8" |
| 8 | Wout Poels (NED) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 8" |
| 9 | Ben Hermans (BEL) | Israel Start-Up Nation | + 8" |
| 10 | Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA) | AG2R Citroën Team | + 8" |
General classification after Stage 5 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 17h 09' 26" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 45" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 12" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 54" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 56" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 47" |
| 7 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 49" |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 4' 03" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 4' 23" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6' 40" |

### Stage 6
#### 26 February 2021 – Deira Islands to Palm Jumeirah, 168 km (104 mi)

Stage 6 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Sam Bennett (IRL) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 3h 32' 23" |
| 2 | Elia Viviani (ITA) | Cofidis | + 0" |
| 3 | Pascal Ackermann (GER) | Bora–Hansgrohe | + 0" |
| 4 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 0" |
| 5 | Fernando Gaviria (COL) | UAE Team Emirates | + 0" |
| 6 | Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) | Team Qhubeka Assos | + 0" |
| 7 | Kaden Groves (AUS) | Team BikeExchange | + 0" |
| 8 | André Greipel (GER) | Israel Start-Up Nation | + 0" |
| 9 | Cees Bol (NED) | Team DSM | + 0" |
| 10 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 0" |
General classification after Stage 6 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 20h 41' 59" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 35" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 02" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 44" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 46" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 37" |
| 7 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 39" |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 3' 53" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 4' 13" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6' 30" |

### Stage 7
#### 27 February 2021 – Yas Mall to Abu Dhabi, 147 km (91 mi)

Stage 7 Result :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Caleb Ewan (AUS) | Lotto–Soudal | 3h 18' 29" |
| 2 | Sam Bennett (IRL) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 0" |
| 3 | Phil Bauhaus (GER) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 0" |
| 4 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 0" |
| 5 | Cees Bol (NED) | Team DSM | + 0" |
| 6 | André Greipel (GER) | Israel Start-Up Nation | + 0" |
| 7 | Andrea Vendrame (ITA) | AG2R Citroën Team | + 0" |
| 8 | Luka Mezgec (SLO) | Team BikeExchange | + 0" |
| 9 | Riccardo Minali (ITA) | Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux | + 0" |
| 10 | Yevgeniy Gidich (KAZ) | Astana–Premier Tech | + 0" |
General classification after Stage 7 :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 24h 00' 28" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 35" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 02" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 42" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 45" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 37" |
| 7 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 39" |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 3' 53" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 4' 13" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6' 30" |

## Classification leadership table

Classification leadership by stage :
| Stage | Winner | General classification | Points classification | Sprints classification | Youth classification | Team classification |
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel | Mathieu van der Poel | Mathieu van der Poel | João Almeida | David Dekker | Deceuninck–Quick-Step |
| 2 | Filippo Ganna | Tadej Pogačar | João Almeida | João Almeida | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| 3 | Tadej Pogačar | Tadej Pogačar | Tadej Pogačar | João Almeida | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| 4 | Sam Bennett | Tadej Pogačar | David Dekker | Tony Gallopin | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| 5 | Jonas Vingegaard | Tadej Pogačar | Tadej Pogačar | Thomas de Gendt | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| 6 | Sam Bennett | Tadej Pogačar | David Dekker | Tony Gallopin | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| 7 | Caleb Ewan | Tadej Pogačar | David Dekker | Tony Gallopin | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
| Final | Final | Tadej Pogačar | David Dekker | Tony Gallopin | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates |
* On stage 2, David Dekker, who was second in the general classification, wore the red jersey, because first-placed Mathieu van der Poel had withdrawn from the race after an Alpecin–Fenix staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Dekker, who was first in the young rider classification, was originally supposed to wear the white jersey, but it was instead worn by third-placed Tadej Pogačar, as second-placed João Almeida wore the green jersey as the temporary leader of the points classification, which had also been led by van der Poel.
* On stages 2 and 3, Mattia Cattaneo, who was second in the sprints classification, wore the black jersey, because first-placed João Almeida wore the green jersey.
* On stages 3 and 4, Neilson Powless, who was third in the young rider classification, wore the white jersey, because first-placed Tadej Pogačar wore the red jersey as the leader of the general classification, while second-placed João Almeida wore the green jersey on stage 3 and the black jersey on stage 4. For the same reasons, on stage 4, Filippo Ganna, who is third in the points classification, wore the green jersey.
* On stages 5 to 7, João Almeida, who was second in the young rider classification, wore the white jersey, because first-placed Tadej Pogačar wore the red jersey as the leader of the general classification. For the same reason, on stage 6, David Dekker, who was second in the points classification, wore the green jersey.

## Final classification standings

Legend :
| Denotes the winner of the general classification | Denotes the winner of the sprints classification |
| Denotes the winner of the points classification | Denotes the winner of the young rider classification |

### General classification

Final general classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 24h 00' 28" |
| 2 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | + 35" |
| 3 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 02" |
| 4 | Chris Harper (AUS) | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 1' 42" |
| 5 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 45" |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 37" |
| 7 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 2' 39" |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 3' 53" |
| 9 | Rubén Fernández (ESP) | Cofidis | + 4' 13" |
| 10 | Fausto Masnada (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 6' 30" |

### Points classification

Final points classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | 66 |
| 2 | Sam Bennett (IRL) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 56 |
| 3 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 51 |
| 4 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 35 |
| 5 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | AG2R Citroën Team | 33 |
| 6 | Elia Viviani (ITA) | Cofidis | 33 |
| 7 | Caleb Ewan (AUS) | Lotto–Soudal | 32 |
| 8 | Adam Yates (GBR) | Ineos Grenadiers | 28 |
| 9 | Michael Mørkøv (DEN) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 28 |
| 10 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | Ineos Grenadiers | 21 |

### Sprints classification

Final sprints classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | AG2R Citroën Team | 33 |
| 2 | David Dekker (NED) | Team Jumbo–Visma | 25 |
| 3 | Thomas De Gendt (BEL) | Lotto–Soudal | 18 |
| 4 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 16 |
| 5 | Omer Goldstein (ISR) | Israel Start-Up Nation | 10 |
| 6 | Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 9 |
| 7 | Matteo Sobrero (ITA) | Astana–Premier Tech | 8 |
| 8 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | AG2R Citroën Team | 8 |
| 9 | Olivier Le Gac (FRA) | Groupama–FDJ | 8 |
| 10 | Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Astana–Premier Tech | 6 |

### Young rider classification

Final young rider classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 24h 00' 28" |
| 2 | João Almeida (POR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 1' 02" |
| 3 | Neilson Powless (USA) | EF Education–Nippo | + 1' 45" |
| 4 | Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (DEN) | Trek–Segafredo | + 2' 37" |
| 5 | Sergio Higuita (COL) | EF Education–Nippo | + 9' 47" |
| 6 | Stefan de Bod (RSA) | Astana–Premier Tech | + 12' 34" |
| 7 | Harm Vanhoucke (BEL) | Lotto–Soudal | + 13' 05" |
| 8 | Rémy Rochas (FRA) | Cofidis | + 14' 06" |
| 9 | Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) | UAE Team Emirates | + 14' 18" |
| 10 | Samuele Battistella (ITA) | Astana–Premier Tech | + 14' 45" |

### Team classification

Final team classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Team | Time |
| 1 | UAE Team Emirates | 72h 07' 44" |
| 2 | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | + 5' 10" |
| 3 | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 11' 01" |
| 4 | Cofidis | + 16' 28" |
| 5 | EF Education–Nippo | + 17' 25" |
| 6 | Team Bahrain Victorious | + 18' 59" |
| 7 | Astana–Premier Tech | + 29' 11" |
| 8 | Bora–Hansgrohe | + 32' 12" |
| 9 | Trek–Segafredo | + 34' 17" |
| 10 | Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux | + 34' 25" |