The quality of riders who will be in action at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour was evident at Tuesday's pre-race press conference attended by new world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) Vincenzo Nibali and Fabio Au (Astana), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge), Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin), Philippe Gilbert (BMC), Elia Viviani (Team Sky) Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) and Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin).
Mark Cavendish is the official ambassador for the Abu Dhabi and also attended the press conference despite not being able to race due to undergoing surgery on his shoulder just two weeks ago.
Also in action at Abu Dhabi are Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), Sacha Modolo, Rui Costa and Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) and Ben Swift (Team Sky), with smaller teams such as Bora Argon 18, MTN-Qhubeka, Wiggins, Drapac from Australia and local squad Skydive Dubai no doubt keen to cause them some problems and grab a place in the spotlight during the four das of racing.
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The racing begins on Thursday with two flat stages perfect for the sprinters, with stage three to Jebel Hafeet ending with an 11km, 7.5% gradient climb, which will undoubtedly decide the overall classification. Sunday's final stage will offer a spectacular finale with the riders racing on the Yas Island motor racing circuit at sunset. It is the same circuit that will soon host the final race of the Formula One season.
The pits of the circuit are hosting the teams riding the Abu Dhabi Tour and riders headed for a training ride from the Yas Island circuit on Tuesday morning.
Peter Sagan rode in his new rainbow jersey for the first time and he took centre stage at the press conference.
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