ABU DHABI TOUR: 3 MONTHS TO GO!

There's exactly 92 days, 2208 hours, 132,480 minutes or 7,948,800 seconds until the first Pro Cycling in the UAE's capital territory

Abu Dhabi, 8 July 2015 – The countdown is on, but months, days and hours will not be how the first Abu Dhabi Tour is decided: minutes and seconds will be the measure that will determine the gap between victory and 2nd place. Four stages - three dedicated to the sprinters, and one a true mountain stage are a perfect mix in the race that will be eagerly anticipated until October 2015. The Abu Dhabi Tour is not simply the next world cycling frontier, it's a well-balanced race including the capital city's skylines, the desert, the oases, a challenging climb with over 1000mt wascent - featuring an excellent peak and average gradients (12/7.5%) - and a superb ending on the futuristic Yas Marina F1 circuit. The area's traditions and innovations will be brought into focus right at the end of the WorldTour season, with the Abu Dhabi Tour closely following the World Championships in Richmond and the year's fifth Monument race, Il Lombardia. «I believe riders are going to love the Abu Dhabi Tour», said Mr. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, «But my belief is not just a hope. The high level of our assets and our organization guarantees a successful Tour. In this part of the world it is not easy to develop such a varied and richly interesting race. This is why there's a great expectation surrounding the event.» Abu Dhabi Tour was declared a 2.1 race by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and will take place from 8 to 11 October covering a total distance of 555km. It's organised by the Abu Dhabi Sport Council in partnership with RCS Sport.

ROUTE INFORMATION

Stage 1 – The Liwa Stage (175km): The entire stage takes place in the stunning Rub al Khali desert, part of Abu Dhabi's Western Region. Starting among the red sand dunes that surround the beautiful Qasr Al Sarab Resort, the undulating race route accumulates about 1,200m of vertical climbing. The riders will trace a ring around Liwa and the nearby oasis, passing through the town twice. The riders then head north along straight roads for 55km, with the slightest of downhill gradients, as far as the town of Madinat Zayed. After a first passage of the finish line, the peloton enters a final 15km loop, to be ridden just once. A mass sprint is expected, although the desert winds could influence the outcome.

Stage 2 – The Capital Stage (130km): A flat stage across the city, starting at the Yas Marina Circuit and heading towards the southern part of the city along wide and mostly straight roads. After the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Exhibition Hall, the peloton turns back on itself, returning to Yas Island, then following the Corniche as far as Marina Island. This is the setting for the final 7.6km circuit, to be completed five times: it features long straight stretches with wide sharp bends. Again, a mass sprint is expected.

Stage 3 – The Al Ain Stage (140km): The toughest stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Starting from Al Qattara Souq, the first 33km follow a series of broad, straight roads, then the peloton will trace a wide circle around the city, crossing the Green Mubazzarah oasis before starting the final climb. 11km long, the Jebel Hafeet ascent reaches an altitude of 1,000m on gradients that average 7.5% and touch 12% on the lower slopes. The climb, on wide, well surfaced roads and with long, sweeping bends, eases into a short descent with 1.5km to go, before resuming a shallow climb to the finish line. The final climb will, in all probability, decide the General Classification.

Stage 4 – The Yas Stage (110km): The entire stage takes place at night, under the floodlights of the Yas Marina Circuit. The peloton will complete 20 laps, interspersed with intermediate sprints. The circuit is wide and the surface is in impeccable condition.