Dubai, 13 Gennaio 2016
Dubai Tour le prime due tappe in dettaglio
The Dubai Silicon Oasis Stage runs through the territory of four different Emirates. Nakheel Stage is a sightseeing tour around some landmarks of Dubai.
Dubai, 12 January 2016 – The first two stages of the next Dubai Tour are suited to the sprinters and could be decisive for the final podium.
Last year, thanks to the victory in the opening stage and the 2nd place in stage 2, Mark Cavendish was able to earn enough advantage over the other puncheurs and conquer the Dubai Tour at the last sprint in the shadows of the Burj Khalifa.
STAGE 1 Dubai Silicon Oasis Stage (179km)
The Dubai Silicon Oasis Stage is a long awaited stage in the short but significative history of the Dubai Tour: it’s the first time the race rides through the entire stretch of desert between Dubai and Fujairah crossing the territory of four different Emirates (Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah).
After passing the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, a high-tech industry zone with more than 1,151 renowned companies, it’s a safe and flat route through the dunes with a short and mild sequence of hills in the Al Hajar Mountains, the highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian peninsula.
The last part of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Stage is entirely in the Fujairah Emirate, the only one of seven with its coastline on the Gulf of Oman and none on the Arabian Gulf. Fujairah City is not only the Emirate’s business and commercial hub but also a good destination for a weekend escape.
With its history lost in the mists of time, the site of Fujairah has been inhabited for 4,000 years.
It’s not a surprise finding here the oldest mosque in the UAE, Al-Bidyah Mosque, a mud-brick construction of the 15th Century (estimated) and, just to the north, a tomb dating back to the Iron Age, according to the Department of Archaeology and Heritage.
Another charming landmark of Fujairah territory is the Fujairah Fort, built in 1670 and for many centuries the only stone building along the coast.
The area surrounding the fort is now part of a Heritage Village where tourists could see restored old houses, local life exhibits and an example of the traditional Al-Yazrah irrigation system.
Other historical landmarks in the area are Bithnah Fort (built in 1735 on the route crossing Al Hajar Mountains) and Al-Hayl Castle, former headquarters for Fujairah’s ruling family.
Without doubt, the major city’s landmark here is the amazing Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the second biggest mosque in the United Arab Emirates after the Abu Dhabi Mosque.
Fujairah is famous for the beaches on the Gulf of Oman with some of the country’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spots – in addition to plenty of facilities such as cafés, restaurants and excellent beach services. Moreover, the Fujairah area is well known for the typical Wadis, the valley oasis. Enjoy the thrills of off-road motoring with Wadi-bashing in Wadi Siji, Wadi Saham, Wadi Mai, Wadi al-Wuraya, each with its own specific attractions.
STAGE 2 Nakheel Stage (188km) Nakheel Stage is a perfect advertisement for some of Dubai’s landmarks.
The route is divided in two distinct parts: the first is just outside the metropolis, partially in the desert, the second part is within the Dubai Marina to end in Palm Jumeirah, in front of the Atlantis “door”.
First, the race passes next to the famous Al Marmoum Racetrack: camel racing is a pastime that originates in the Middle East and has a whole community of avid local followers who regularly track their favourite camels.
Past the track, the race approaches the popular Al Qudra bike path, 150km in total divided in two loops of 18 and 50km. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex pool is located here too, on the edge of the desert.
After passing it, the peloton will return into the city touching Dubailand, the ambitious entertainment complex scheduled for 2020, then the Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s largest natural flower garden (where more than 45 million flowers are planted), the famous Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Sports City, also known as DSC, a mix of residential, retail, leisure and sport facilities.
In this section, as a city circuit, the route is more complicated, with a series of bends and a passage through Jumeirah Islands, a picturesque, self-contained community of 50 islands with more than 700 villas.
Then the Grand Finale on the Palm, the artificial island reached through an underwater tunnel. Here a long sprint of more than 3km will decide the stage winner.
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