The Team Sky member, who is a five-time Grand Tour winner, says he still needs to recover fully from last week's event in Colombia.
The seven-stage tour gets underway on Monday.
The race starts in Abu Dhabi before ending in Dubai on March 2.
It is the only UCI World Tour race in the Middle East.
This year's inaugural edition will feature 20 teams from around the world.
Bangladesh claim first test win in Australia as Green ton in vain
Bangladesh has chased down 57 runs to complete a landmark nine-wicket victory over Australia in the series-opener in Darwin on Sunday in one of test cricket's greatest upsets.
Djokovic falls in Cincinnati heat in first match since Wimbledon
Thiago Agustin Tirante has rallied past Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, as the Serbian struggled in the heat and required a medical timeout in a disappointing US Open tune-up.
Islam Makhachev wins record 17th straight fight at UFC 330
Islam Makhachev (29-1 MMA) has successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship Saturday night, defeating Ireland's Ian Machado Garry (17-2 MMA) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) while also setting an impressive record in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia.
Germany's Liebmann smashes 1500m world record
Germany's Johannes Liebmann has smashed the world record for the men's 1500 metres at the European Aquatics Championships on Saturday, knocking almost four seconds off the previous record in a dominant display.
Inter sign England defender Spence from Tottenham
Inter Milan have signed England international winger Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur on a contract running until June 30, 2031, the Serie A club said on Saturday.
