Cycling Legend Peter Sagan Confirmed as L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France Presented by Škoda Returns to Dubai this January

Cycling enthusiasts and families in the United Arab Emirates have just over two weeks to secure their places in this year’s L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda (24–25 January), where they will have the unique opportunity to ride alongside legendary cyclist Peter Sagan. With more than 700 riders already registered for this Dubai Sports Council-backed event, the confirmation of Sagan’s participation further embodies the spirit of the world’s most iconic cycling race as it returns to the UAE for its second edition.

Part of the official L’Étape series events (25 countries, more than 30 races), the event brings the Tour de France experience to amateur cyclists through closed-road routes designed to international racing standards. L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda reinforces Dubai’s position as a global destination for international sports events.

This year’s edition will see the legendary Peter Sagan - former professional road cyclist, seven-time Tour de France Green Jersey winner, and three-time UCI Road World Champion - joining hundreds of amateur cyclists on the Sunday. His presence places a Tour de France icon on the course in Dubai, giving participants the opportunity to ride alongside one of the sport’s most recognisable figures during the race. Following the race, Sagan will join the finish-line celebrations in the Expo Village Park, presenting medals to riders as they complete the course.

Peter Sagan said: “I have been watching closely as Dubai has emerged as a key destination for international sporting events, with cycling playing an increasingly prominent role. L’Étape Dubai builds on that by bringing the structure and standards one of the world’s most renowned sporting experiences to riders in the city.”

Open to riders of all abilities, L’Étape Dubai blends challenge, accessibility, and community. In the build-up to race weekend, L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France will host a series of community rides, leading up to a special ride on 18 January, reinforcing its strong connection with the local cycling community ahead of race weekend.

More details for race weekend confirmed

The main day of the race weekend will take place on January 25, when two race formats will start simultaneously at 7:00 AM from Dubai Design District. The Epic Race covers 112 kilometres, offering a demanding challenge for experienced cyclists, while the Classic Race spans 61 kilometres, catering to riders seeking a competitive yet achievable Tour de France–style experience. Both routes will finish in the Expo Village Park. The addition of three designated sprint sections has also been confirmed, among them the Sagan Speed Challenge near Global Village, where the fastest woman and fastest man will each receive a special jersey presented by Sagan himself.

The weekend will also include family-focused formats on Saturday, January 24, beginning with the Škoda Kids Race, covering distances from 300 metres to 1.8 kilometres, starting from 9:00 AM in two waves designed for different age groups, as well as the Škoda Family Ride, a 20-kilometre route starting at 10:00 AM, designed to welcome riders of all ages in a relaxed and inclusive setting. Peter Sagan will be present at the finishing line in Expo Village Park for both races, offering families and young riders a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close to a true global sporting icon.

L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France is designed as a weekend-long cycling celebration and central to this will be the L’Etape Village at Expo Village Park, extending the experience well beyond the racecourse. Open throughout the event, the village will bring the Tour de France atmosphere to life through immersive experiences such as the Tour de France Museum, dedicated memorabilia and feature walls, interactive exhibitor activations and family-friendly activities. As a long-term partner of Tour de France not only will Škoda be providing a fleet of cars to support the race but it will also be making cars available to visitors for test drives. L’Etape Village will also serve as a social hub across the weekend, with opportunities to meet event ambassadors, including Italian Paralympic cyclist Andrea Pusateri, alongside race favourites and Peter Sagan.

Speaking about L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda, Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East said: “Cycling has been part of Škoda’s DNA for more than 130 years, and through L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France, we are proud to play a leading role in growing amateur cycling in the UAE, in line with the country’s vision for more active and healthy communities.

Škoda brings the spirit of the Tour de France to everyone at L’Etape, in the main race and throughout the L’Etape weekend, from family and kids’ rides, lots of exciting activities at the Škoda Fun Zone and the exclusive chance to see the original Tour de France Director’s car. We are also excited to welcome Peter Sagan, a true Tour de France legend and long-standing Škoda ambassador, to inspire cyclists of all ages and abilities.”

Andrea Pusateri commented: “I lost my leg at the age of three, but sport has taught me that limits are only mental — not physical. Today I am the first Paralympic team captain in the history of the Giro d’Italia and I use my story to promote inclusion and inspire people through cycling. Taking part in L’Étape is a dream for me. Riding in this iconic event, side by side with champions and thousands of passionate cyclists, represents exactly what I believe in: that sport belongs to everyone.”

The inaugural edition of L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda, held in 2025, set a new benchmark for amateur cycling events in the UAE, recording the highest participation for a first-edition race in the country. More than 1,000 cyclists took part, including 243 international riders and 266 Emiratis, highlighting Dubai’s position as a destination for large-scale international cycling events.

Registration for L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda is now open. Riders and families are encouraged to secure their place via the official website: https://dubai.letapeseries.com/. A series of social and community rides are also taking place in the build-up, open to all riders and culminating on the 18th January.