UAE Tour 2026 Route stage 6: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet

Saturday 21 February – Stage 6 of the UAE Tour is a 168-kilometre test with the finish atop Jebel Hafeet. Following a flat approach, the finishing climb stretches 10.8 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.6%.

With four victories – in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 – Tadej Pogacar is the undisputed King of Jebel Hafeet. The world champion is skipping his team's home event this year, which will surely add to the suspense. Other winners at the UAE Tour's staple mountain include Lennert Van Eetvelt (2024), Adam Yates (2023, 2020) and Alejandro Valverde (2019).

The course looks almost identical to last year’s. First, the route winds through Al Ain for several kilometres, before the riders head out into the desert. All the while, the roads remain as flat as they come.

Once back in Al Ain, the terrain changes dramatically, as the riders soon tackle the Jebel Ḥafeeṫ Mountain Road. It is a wide highway, which makes the climb look less daunting than it actually is. Over 10.8 kilometres, the gradient averages 6.6%, but it is far from consistent. After a relatively gentle start, the slopes increase after kilometre 3 to above 7%, with the steepest ramp – 11% – coming 2.8 kilometres from the finish. The road then eases significantly and even drops briefly.

Positioning is key in the finale, unless you are riding solo. Just before the finish there is a left-hand bend, after which there is almost no room to recover or make a move.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 6th stage 2026 UAE Tour.

Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2026 UAE Tour.