2018
مرحباً (MARHABAN!) FROM STAGE 1 OF THE INAUGURAL ABU DHABI TOUR
Qasr Al Sarab, 8 October 2015 – مرحباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 1 of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour (8-11 October 2015), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sports and Events. Starting from the extraordinary luxury resort at Qasr Al Sarab, among the unforgettable sand dunes of the Rub al Khali desert, via two intermediate sprints, the stage route leads to Madinat Zayed, the largest town and the administrative centre of Al Gharbia, thelargest and westernmost region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
During the stage, 36 Green Jersey Points (of a race total of 152), 16 Black Jersey Points (of a race total of 72), and 16 seconds in time bonuses are up for grabs. Details of time bonuses and the various sub-competitions are given below.
The ceremonial roll out started on schedule at 12.50, After crossing the 3.5km neutralised zone, the peloton of 105 riders, including the brand new Rainbow Jersey of the newly crowned UCI Road World Champion Peter Sagan, competing for the first time since winning the title in Richmond, passed km 0 at 13.02 Did not start: dossard numbers 84, 122 and 175.
Stage 1 – The ADNOC Stage (174km)
From Qasr Al Sarab to Madinat Zayed
Finish: Approx. 5.00pm
Race Headquarters: Al Dhafra Stadium, Madinat Zayed, UAE
ROUTE
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 accrues around 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 the first crossing of the finish line, the peloton then enters a final 15km loop, to be ridden just once. A mass sprint is expected, although the desert winds could influence the outcome.
Red Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC (General individual classification by time), and White Jersey, sponsored by The National (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1990).
NOTE: Time bonuses: Intermediate Sprints: 3, 2 and 1 seconds for positions 1, 2 and 3. Finish line: 10, 6 and 4 seconds for positions 1, 2 and 3.
Stages 1, 2 and 3 have two intermediate sprints and a maximum possible 16 seconds of time bonuses. Stage 4 has three intermediate sprints and a maximum possible 19 seconds of time bonuses. The maximum possible time bonuses for the whole race is 67 seconds.
Green Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General individual classification by points)
NOTE: Green Jersey Points - Intermediate Sprints: 8, 5, 3 and 1 points for positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. Finish line: 20-16-12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1 (points for first ten riders).
A maximum possible 36 points are up for grabs in each of stages 1, 2 and 3, and 44 points are available for stage 4.
Black Jersey, sponsored by Etihad Airways (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification)
NOTE: Black Jersey Points - Intermediate Sprints only: 8, 5, 3 and 1 points for positions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
A maximum possible 16 points available for each of the first three stages, and 24 points are available on stage 4.
The Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport (8-11 October) consists of four stages covering a total of 555km; three stages suit the sprinters, while the remaining stage finishes uphill after a 10.8km climb with gradients touching 12%. the General Classification is expected to be decided on the climb.
- Abu Dhabi Tour website
- Abu Dhabi Tour YouTube Channel
- Facebook page
- Twitter page
- Google+ Profile
- Instagram official
On the evening of the last day, the Tour will have the honour of hosting the very first UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony. This unique event will celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season with its stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
SHIFT Active Media
Manolo Bertocchi
RCS Sport Cycling Press Office
Ph.: (+44) 1225 448333
Ph. (+44) 7979 241227
E-mail: manolo@shiftactivemedia.com
Tw.: @Shiftactive @ItalianManolo
RCS Sport
Stefano Diciatteo
RCS Sport Press Office Coordinator
Ph.: (+39) 02 25848758
Mob.: (+39) 335 5468466
E-mail: Stefano.diciatteo@rcs.it
Tw.: @rcssport - @stedicia
