3x UCI Road World Champion and 7x Tour de France Sprint Champion Peter Sagan announced he will ride in the second L’Etape Dubai gran fondo in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday 25 January.

The amateur event is part of the official L’Etape by Tour de France cycling series consisting of more than 30 closed road races around the world in 2026.

As key spokesperson for Dubai’s goal of being a worldwide cycling destination 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’Etape Dubai builds on that by bringing the structure and standards of one of the world’s most renowned sporting experiences to riders in the city.”

Gran fondo racers will compete on a fast and flat as a pancake 112 kilometers route, while those opting for the shorter medio fondo will cover 61 flat kilometers.

In addition to the overall start-to-finish competition, three Sagan Sprint Sections will be contested (with the former world champion not eligible) to find the fastest male and female riders. Peter will award green Tour de France Sprint Champion jerseys, just like those he won as a professional, to the winners.

L’Etape Dubai attracted more than 1000 riders in 2025, with 18 year-old standout Ibrahiem Alrefai the overall winner.

L’Etape Dubai details and registration HERE

Photo Credit: L’Etape Dubai

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