State-backed UAE and Bahrain teams under scrutiny ahead of Tour de France

State-backed UAE and Bahrain teams under scrutiny ahead of Tour de France Submitted by Rayhan Uddin on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 13:53 Cycling authorities urged to suspend licenses of two teams financed by Gulf states over human rights concerns UAE Team Emirates - XRG team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar celebrates in Villars-sur-Ollon on 21 June 2026 (AFP/Harold Cunningham) Off As the Tour de France is set to begin this weekend, the participation of two teams linked to Gulf states - the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain - is coming under the microscope. The favourite to win this year’s tour is the undisputed best male bike rider in the world is Tadej Pogacar from Slovenia. He has won four of the last six Tour de France titles, all of which were for UAE Team Emirates XRG (previously known as UAE Team Emirates).