ABU DHABI TOUR IS READY TO GO
The multi-year agreement with Velon Pro Teams, hosting the UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony, and a rich program of additional activities: more than a week of events is complementing pro cycling’s debut in the UAE capital territory
Abu Dhabi, 4 October 2015 – Just four days to go before the start of the very first Abu Dhabi Tour, the four-stage race which is the curtain of the international cycling season. The debut is eagerly anticipated, not least because the route is beautifully designed and enriched by the presence of the world’s best riders. And to finish with a big finale, the elite of world cycling will celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season in the evening of the Abu Dhabi Tour’s final stage with the UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony.“We are very pleased to announce this plan”, Mr Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council said, “because this is exactly what we had promised during the launch in March. Now comes the toughest part of our job – the race – but we have many champions on our side, which is a very good sign.”
TRAIN YAS SPECIAL EDITION
On Tuesday October 6th, the Yas Marina F1 track will be open for riders’ training from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Following that session, the circuit will open as usual to the thousand amateurs, who will each receive a limited edition Abu Dhabi Tour promotional jersey that includes the Abu Dhabi Tour logo and design. These jerseys are designed and made by the iconic brand Castelli, just like the official Abu Dhabi Tour jerseys.
PROMO TOUR
From Tuesday 29th September to the final stage in Yas Marina Circuit, two double decker buses, loaded with fun activities for all the family, will tour the Abu Dhabi region to meet the fans. There will be goodies to collect, such as t-shirts and stickers, and fans can enroll to join the final Parade, take souvenir pictures and join in a special contest to win an amazing experience.
FAN ZONE
Every day fans are invited to attend special events at the Fan Zone at the Yas Mall. From 8th to 11th October the Fan Zone will be the place to get all the info about the Abu Dhabi Tour, access the bike lab to set up your bike for the Parade, follow every stage live, collect promotional souvenirs and have the chance to hold the Abu Dhabi Tour trophy. There will also be a bicycle workshop for kids.
Opening hours:
– Thursday and Friday: from 10am until midnight
– Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm
LAST STAGE AND PARADE
Everyone who wants to come to the Yas Marina circuit on October 11th and watch live the final stage, will have the chance to do it entirely for free. Access to the circuit will open at 3.30pm, while the actual race will start at 4.40pm. After the race, there will be an amazing show on the circuit, where fans can join in, along with their bikes. Performers, magicians, light shows and music will create a unique atmosphere as fans ride along the circuit.
People can have fun customizing their own bikes and join the Parade directly at the circuit, or they can pick up the Parade Kit at the Fan Zone inside the Yas Mall or from the double decker buses’ promotional tour.
#RideToAbuDhabi
The Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport, will take place from 8 to 11 October. It consists of four stages covering a total distance of 555km; three stages favour the sprinters, while the remaining stage (the 3rd), finishing uphill after a 750m climb with gradients touching 12%, will probably decide the General Classification.
#UCICyclingGala
In the evening of the last day the Tour will have the honour of hosting the very first UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony. It’s a unique event to celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season and its stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
ROUTE INFORMATION
Stage 1 – The ADNOC Stage (174km): 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.
Stage 2 – The Capital Stage (129km): 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 follows the Corniche until the Emirates Palace. There the riders will face a U-turn, cycling again alongside the Corniche until Yas Island, where the finish line is positioned next to the Yas Mall. Again, a mass sprint is expected.
Stage 3 – The Al Ain Stage (142km): 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 on the Yas Marina Circuit. 110km at night under the floodlights of the F1 Circuit. The peloton will complete 20 laps (5.5km each) culminating in the last Abu Dhabi Tour sprint. The circuit is wide and the surface is in impeccable condition.
