The 2018 Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge is ready to go

New three-week formula for the Challenge

Abu Dhabi, 30 January 2018 – The promotional activities for the next Abu Dhabi Tour are based on engaging the local cycling community. In recent months, several races in Liwa and Al Wathba have been organised with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council – alongside other cycling activities and more mass participation events including golf, involving the Abu Dhabi Tour staff. 

Now the focus is on the third edition of the successful Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge, with an enhanced three-stage formula throughout February. In preparation the Abu Dhabi Tour’s staff has been running training classes at Yas Marina Circuit since 21st January. 

The Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge’s new format comprises three stages across three different competitions with the award ceremony to follow the final competitive event in the famous Yas Marina Circuit. Participants are welcome to register for all three challenges online or on-site, at a cost of 55 Dirhams for each event.

CHALLENGE 1 – THE CLIMB STAGE
The first stage is in Jebel Hafeet, on Friday 2nd February. There is a choice of two distances, 47km or 67km, with the race starting at Wadi Adventure. The route takes riders on a relatively flat looped course before the climb to the top of Jebel Hafeet. The first three riders of each category in each category will win a special Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge jersey. Only the results of the longer distance route count towards the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship – for which the first 15 riders earn points.

• Short Course: 47km = 3x 10km loops then riding to the top of Jebel Hafeet
• Long Course: 67km = 5x 10km loops then riding to the top of Jebel Hafeet
• Categories: Juniors (14-17 years of age, Short Course only), Open (18-39 years), Masters (40-49 years) and Veterans (50+ years)

Registration link: http://www.adsc.ae/en/events/al-ain-cycle-race-february-2018/

CHALLENGE 2 – YAS LAP
The second stage, “Yas Lap”, is on Sunday 11th February at the Yas Marina Circuit. Simply, the fastest man and woman on a single lap will win the challenge. “Yas Lap” is linked with the StartYAS activity. Participants must ride as individuals and may complete up to three laps of the circuit - of which only the fastest lap for each rider counts.

Registration link: http://my2.raceresult.com/88925/?&lang=en

CHALLENGE 3 – KNOCK OUT
The third stage, also at the Yas Marina Circuit, and on Tuesday 20th February, is called “Knock Out”. Competitors will face the challenge of a precise time limit within which to complete the first lap, with that target time to be reduced each new lap. Riders who cannot complete the lap within the time limit are eliminated.

Registration link: http://my2.raceresult.com/89700/info?&lang=en

Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship
The winners of the men’s and women’s categories of each Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge will be awarded a special prize jersey and the first 15 riders in the classification will earn points for the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship’s General ranking. As follow:

The man and woman who collect most points across the three different challenges will be the winners of the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship – and they will be awarded with a Red Jersey - similar to the Abu Dhabi Tour’s most prestigious jersey for GC leader - and a special trophy, during the award ceremony which follows the final stage in the Yas Marina Circuit. 

Special Classifications
For each Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge there are three more special classifications:

2nd February - King/Queen of the Mountain, Al Ain 
The fastest man and the fastest woman to climb the last 12km up to the finish line on Jebel Hafeet 

11th February - Sprinter of 1km, YMC 
The fastest man and the fastest woman on the 1km long straight of the West Grandstand 

20th February - Intermediate Sprint, YMC 
The man and the woman with the best Intermediate sprint on the second lap of the race

The winners (one man and one woman) of each special classification earns three points for the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship’s General ranking and on 20th February at the final podium at the Yas Marina Circuit, they will be awarded with a race jersey.

Abu Dhabi Tour training classes 
The on-site classes are organised in collaboration with Yas Cycle. A dedicated Abu Dhabi Tour trainer delivers cycling classes with different topics to a selected group of cycling enthusiasts, both adults and children, at the Yas Marina Circuit. They are available both on-site and online. 

START YAS: 4th, 11th ,18th Feb - TRAIN YAS: 30th Jan // 6th, 13th Feb - GO YAS: 7th Feb. 
The training program lasts three weeks, having started on 21st January. Enthusiast cyclists can attend special classes to improve their results, while beginners have the opportunity to try a dedicated training program for the first time. The special classes will develop different skills such as power, aerodynamic position and agility. 

It’s even possible to follow the training program online. This offer is always in in collaboration with Yas Cycle and aims to create an Abu Dhabi Tour online community that can join the Abu Dhabi Tour’s training all over the world through the online-platform Zwift (www.zwift.com). 

• Abu Dhabi Tour YouTube Channel
• Facebook page
• Twitter page
• Google+ Profile
• Instagram official

Abu Dhabi Tour Media Kit
From the official online pressroom the media can download high resolution pictures of the  last editions of the race. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press / From the official online pressroom the media can download high resolution pictures of the past editions of the race, the various press conferences and the opening ceremony. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press / password: press), select “Scarica contenuti/Download contents” on the top right, choose “2015” or “2016” or “2017” from the menu on the left, then “Ciclismo”, and then “Abu Dhabi Tour”. The photos are free of charge for editorial use, as long as both the Abu Dhabi Tour and the photographer’s name is quoted.