Throughout five days the peloton will race in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudi Tour. It is the beginning of a long stint of racing in the Middle East from the 30th of January and the 3rd of February.
The race will feature five stages. Stage 4 will be the queen stage and the day where the climbers and puncheurs have to launch their main bids for the GC. All other stages are expected to end in a sprint, although stages 3 and 5 have hilltop finishes which could prove challenging and feature a wide variety of riders within a shot of victory. Of course, the wind may always play a part aswell and the race can be decided in each day.
Stage 1: AlUla International Airport - Khayber, 180.5 kilometers
The opening stage of the race will start in AlUla, a name now well known within pro cycling as they are the new title sponsor of Australian Team Jayco AlUla. It's a flat stage that is close to a complete straight line, set to finish in Khayber.
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Stage 2: Winter Park - Shalal Sjilyat Rocks, 184 kilometers
Stage two has a slightly hillier start with some bonus seconds available at the top of an early hilltop. Most of the stage however is pan-flat, with the Shalal Siljyat Rocks spot set to host the finale in what should be a bunch sprint.
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Stage 3: Al Manshiyah Train Station - Abu Rakah, 159.2 kilometers
Stage three has a open finale, but most of the day is flat. Even though the profile hints at a lot of climbing, no tough gradients will be found at any time, and it's at the finish where the hurt may be put to the sprinters. A sprint is expected, however a 700 meter ramp at 7% ends already inside the final kilometer, the puncheurs and GC riders will have an opportunity to take time on the competition.
Stage 4: Maraya - Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, 163.4 kilometers
The queen stage. Stage 4 is a pan-flat day except for the finale, which will take place in the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid. The final 10 kilometers are flat but they come after a 7.5 kilometer climb at 5.9%. However, the final 2.9 kilometers of the ascent average 12% and will be able to see big differences created, likely where the overall classification will be decided aswell.
Stage 5: AlUla Old Town - Maraya, 142.9 kilometers
The final day into Maraya will be an interesting one, with only 142 kilometers in the menu but including a 7.3-kilometer long gravel sector. Most of the stage is flat, but the finale will see a slight uphill drag to the line.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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🤩 The #SaudiTour is back in AlUla! 🇸🇦 Between January 30. and February 3., some of the best riders in the world of cycling will race around beautiful AlUla for the 3rd edition of the #SaudiTour. Get ready! 🔎 Here is the official map of the #SaudiTour 2023!
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