0
Profile

Lotto-Intermarché ready to compete in UAE Tour

On Monday, 16 February, our team lines up for the 2026 UAE Tour. Across seven days and more than 1,000 kilometers of desert roads, the team is ready to embrace the challenge with focus and determination. “We have come to the UAE Tour with a clear plan”, Sports Director Mario Aerts says.
15 February 2026
Previous Next

Over seven days the team will race across the United Arabic Emirates, covering about 1000 kilometers of varied terrain. The race features a balanced mix of sprint stages, an individual time trial and decisive summit finishes. — setting the stage for an exciting battle between fast finishers and general classification contenders. With crosswinds often playing a decisive role on the exposed desert roads, focus and teamwork will be essential from the very first kilometer.

Sports Director Mario Aerts outlines the team strategy and ambitions towards the start of UAE Tour: “We have come to the UAE Tour with a clear plan. We want to support Lennert (Van Eetvelt) to fight for the general classification and at the same time aim for success in the sprint stages with Steffen (De Schuyteneer). The key for us will be positioning and staying attentive in the wind.”

Hungry to race again after his early-season crash in Tour Down Under, Lennert Van Eetvelt heads to the UAE Tour with confidence and calm. Supported by a dedicated team around him, he can approach the decisive stages: “It was a pity to crash in Tour Down Under and having to leave so early, but it’s these kind of moments that shape you as a professional cyclist. It’s always nice to come back here. Of course it is hard to beat the memories I made two years ago, but I really like coming here to race. They made it harder than previous editions so I am curious to see what that will bring. We have a great team here, so I am sure we can do some great things here.”

At the same time, opportunities await for us as well in the fast finishes. Introducing the sprint ambitions, Steffen De Schuyteneer shares his enthusiasm ahead of the opening stage: “UAE Tour is a beautiful race where we can show our team on multiple fronts. The main target will be the GC with Lennert (Van Eetvelt). In sprint stages, we’ll also try to show ourselves. Especially with the experience of our lead-out man Jasper De Buyst! I’m looking forward to start on Monday with a hilly stage with quite some wind.”