The route of the inaugural four-day Abu Dhabi Tour has been revealed during a spectacular presentation, with the October race also set to host an international Cycling Gala to celebrate the completion of the 2015 WorldTour.
The Abu Dhabi Tour is on the Asia calendar and is ranked 2.1 under UCI rules. However, it is rumoured that the race could replace the Tour of Beijing as a possible final stage race on the WorldTour calendar in years to come. The Abu Dhabi Tour will be the second major race in the United Arab Emirates and the fourth in the Gulf region after the early season Dubai Tour, the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman.
During the presentation it was revealed that the final stage on the Yas Marina will be a twilight stage, just like the Grand Prix that ends the Formula 1 season. The circuit is already used for cycling, with hundreds of riders training on the circuit twice a week. 18 teams will be invited, including a UAE national team. The four race leader jerseys were not unveiled because their colours will be linked to the eventual jersey sponsors.
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Aref Hamad Al Awani, the General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, revealed in a press conference after the presentation that they are considering the creation of a women’s race for the future.
He also confirmed ambitions to see the Abu Dhabi Tour on the WorldTour calendar in the future but said the race is not in competition with the Dubai Tour held in February. He said announced that Abu Dhabi would host what it described as an “international Cycling Gala” on the final evening of the race “to celebrate in a glittering atmosphere the completion of the WorldTour calendar and the narrative of the 2015 cycling season and its stars.”
“We’re confident we can convince the UCI to include the race on the WorldTour. We will meet whatever conditions are requested from the UCI,” Aref Hamad Al Awani said.
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