It has been announced by the UCI that the professional cycling race run through stages across the emirate now joins the WorldTour for its third edition, taking place from 23-26 February next year.

The UCI has granted the Abu Dhabi event WorldTour status for the next three years, saying it reflects the quality of the Abu Dhabi Tour.

The four-stage professional cycling race organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) with the collaboration of RCS Sport.

This year’s edition, which starts in the UAE capital and runs from 20-23 October, will see professional cycling teams and those from the UAE race across three sprint stages and one mountain stage.

“This status upscale is proof of the commitment and sheer hard work delivered by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and our partners,” said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s general secretary. “We hope the global media attention it brings will also help build Abu Dhabi’s growing credentials as a significant cycling destination taking us centre stage in a discipline which is increasingly capturing the attention of the sporting world and local communities.

“Cycling is a sport which meets our objectives of nurturing local heroes and spreading a culture of healthy, active lifestyles among the entire community – resident or expatriate, young or old. Once our local cyclists have the chance to see the world’s best in action, and honoured, we hope to further inspire their own aspirations.”