Abu Dhabi Tour 2017, Cycling race from 23th to 26th February
From 23 to 26 February the Middle East’s only WorldTour race will see 16 WorldTour teams and 4 UCI Professional Continental Teams at the start, including Mark Cavendish and other stars. The Red, Green, White and Black jerseys to be sponsored by Al Marya.
Just few days left to the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Tour, the four-day race organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) in collaboration with RCS Sport and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman, Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This year the Abu Dhabi Tour can boast UCI WorldTour status; unique for a race in the Middle East. WorldTour ranking points will be up for grabs every day, a very important goal for each of the teams and riders. The vast majority of cycling’s elite teams will be at the start of the race (16 out of 18), and include some of the world’s best riders who have confirmed their participation.
The route will be similar to the first two editions: three stages dedicated to the sprinters and one to the climbers or brave puncheurs along a fast-balanced route, riding in between the desert and the sea, going from the mountains to the city.
THE ROUTE
Stage 01 – MADINAT ZAYED STAGE / MADINAT ZAYED – MADINAT ZAYED (188km) The opening stage will take its now traditional route, starting and finishing in Madinat Zayed, and running entirely through the desert.
Stage 02 – NATION TOWERS STAGE / ABU DHABI (Al Maryah Island) – ABU DHABI (Al Marina) (155km) New features are packed into stage two, starting from Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination, and featuring as many landmarks as possible: in this tour of the capital city fans can follow the riders past iconic locations such as the Corniche, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, Al Reem Island, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Old Al Bahia, Al Sadar. The probable bunch sprint will take place on Al Marina, close to the Big Flag.
Stage 03 – AL AIN STAGE / AL AIN – JEBEL HAFEET (186km) The third stage, as usual, is the mountain stage, where climbers and puncheurs will fight for general classification on the Jabel Hafeet uphill finish at an altitude of 1.025m.
Stage 04 – YAS ISLAND STAGE / YAS MARINA CIRCUIT (143km) The grand finale is once again confirmed for the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.
The newest jersey sponsor is Al Maryah Island, sponsoring the prestigious Red Jersey (General Classification by time). The other Abu Dhabi Tour primary supporters are fully confirmed with Nation Towers sponsoring the Green Jersey (General Classification by points), Abu Dhabi Sports Channel sponsoring the White Jersey (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1992) and Etihad Airways sponsoring the Black Jersey (Intermediate Sprint Classification).
Nation Towers is confirmed as the official Fan Zone from 17 to 26 February, with a venue dedicated to the sponsors, a kids’ area and a large screen for following the race action live, while the Viceroy Hotel will serve as Race Headquarters, hosting athletes, media and officials.
The marketing and promotional activities include the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge on the Yas Marina Circuit (on 5, 12 and 21 February) and the Advertising caravan, the travelling promotional project that, from 17
to 22 February, will visit the main Abu Dhabi landmarks as well as the stage cities. Then, during the race days, the caravan will anticipate the riders on their route to reach the finish line, in a format similar to European Grand Tour events, with specially branded promotional vehicles included.