A star-studded UAE Team Emirates for the Abu Dhabi Tour

It will be a first-class UAE Team Emirates roster, including Italian Champion Fabio Aru in his 2018 debut, on the start line of the Abu Dhabi Tour this February 21 to 25.

“I’m honoured and at the same time, very motivated to start my new professional adventure at the Abu Dhabi Tour,” said Fabio Aru.

“It’s the team’s home race, the home race for our sponsors, and I can’t hide my desire to start on the right foot. We are going to be there with a very strong team and I’m sure that we won’t miss out on the chance to make new fans.”

The race will unfold over five stages, with the last and likely decisive day to Jabel Hafeet. The summit finish should definitively re-sort the classification, just like it did in 2017 when Portuguese Rui Costa shot ahead for the stage and overall classification.

“I have good memories from the Abu Dhabi Tour last year,” said Rui Costa. “For us it was very important to win, and to do so ahead of all of our sponsors and managers was a huge satisfaction.

“This year I hope to be competitive like I was in 2017, even if I had a slight health setback when I returned from Australia. In any case, we will be a strong team and we will try to put on a good show, getting the best possible results.”

Team roster: Aru Fabio (Italy), Bystrøm Sven Erik (Norway), Costa Rui (Portugal), Ferrari Roberto (Italy), Mori Manuele (Italy), Ulissi Diego  (Italy), Kristoff Alexander (Norway).

Sports Directors: Matxin Joxean Fernández (Spain), Marzano Marco (Italy).

As the UAE’s first professional cycling team, UAE Team Emirates are looking to encourage the next generation of UAE cyclists to get on two-wheels and promote the health benefits of cycling. The team’s participation at Abu Dhabi Tour gives the region’s community the opportunity to come together and support world-class athletes as they aim to become one of the top cycling teams on the tour.