Abu Dhabi unveils routes of Abu Dhabi Tour

Abu Dhabi, 26th March, 2015 (WAM) -- Seeking to position itself as one of the world's premier sports destinations, Abu Dhabi yesterday unveiled the routes of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour in attendance of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Held under a partnership agreement between Abu Dhabi Sports Council and RCS Sports and Events, one of the race organisers, the 8-11 October race set to host an international Cycling race to celebrate the completion of the 2015 WorldTour. The race route will cover a total of 555km with three flat stages and a mountain finish to Jebel Hafeet. The climb to the finish line is 11km long and climbs of nearly 1000 metres of elevation, with one point of the climb at 12 per cent. The four stages will visit different parts of Abu Dhabi, touching the coastline but also the inland desert area. Stage 1 on October 8 is over 175km and passes along the edge of Rub al Khaki desert between Qasr Al Sarab to Madinat Zayed. Stage 2 on October 9 is only 130km long and visits much of the city centre. The October 10 stage 3 mountain finish will be 140km and pan flat for most of the day but ends with an 11km climb that has an average gradient of 7.5 per cent and has one corner at 12 per cent. There is a 1.5km descent before a final climb to the finish. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour ends with a 110km circuit stage around the Yas Marina motor racing circuit. Aref Hamad Al Awani, the General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said in a press conference that Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a world capital that can attract championships inclu8ded in calendars of international sports federations. "Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is also, and increasingly, an international capital for sport, hosting a great many world-class events. In recent years, cycling has been the focus of great development in the United Arab Emirates and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is proud to expand its portfolio of events with a race whose future is certain and whose potential is unlimited,'' he said. ''We are looking forward to add a valuable hallmark to the race to ensure its return to Abu Dhabi in the years to come in light of the UAE's increasing attention for the cycling games,'' he added. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395278460426.html