The organizers of the Dubai Tour have announced the list of teams for the second edition of the event. 10 WorldTour teams will be at the start of the race in the UAE.

The list of 16 teams that will race in the Dubai Tour, from 4th until 7th February 2015, is officially announced. The race is organised by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sport, and will once again feature some of the world’s top riders on its start line. Last year, in the Dubai Tour’s first edition, Taylor Phinney won the General Classification and the first stage time trial, while the other three stages were won by the king of sprinters Marcel Kittel. Recovering from a broken leg, Phinney won't be back to defend his title.

This year the race has been upgraded to 2.HC level, meaning that it can invite more WorldTour teams. Among the 16 teams, 10 are from the elite division while four pro continental, one continental and one national team have been invited.

Last year the race was mainly decided in the opening time trial but this year's edition should be one for puncheurs. In addition to three sprint stages, one stage will be finishing on a short, sharp climbs with gradients of up to 14%.

Below is the list of the 16 teams, each consisting of 8 riders:

UCI WORLDTEAMS

• AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
• ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
• BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
• ETIXX–QUICK STEP (BEL)
• LAMPRE–MERIDA (ITA)
• MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
• TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN (GER)
• TEAM KATUSHA (RUS)
• TEAM SKY (GBR)
• TINKOFF-SAXO (RUS)
•  

UCI PROFESSIONAL CONTINENTAL

• BARDIANI CSF (ITA)
• CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE (POL)
• UNITEDHEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (USA)
• TEAM NOVO NORDISK (USA)

UCI CONTINENTAL

• SKYDIVE DUBAI PRO CYCLING TEAM (UAE)

NATIONAL SELECTION

• UAE NATIONAL SELECTION