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.

Ruthless Man City thump Newcastle to reach League Cup final
Ethara named F1 promoter of the year
Alexandra Eala stages comeback to reach Mubadala quarter-finals
F1 legend Mika Häkkinen turns brand ambassador for Only Legends Drive UAE
Guardiola vows to speak up for victims of global conflicts
