18 teams, 555km, one aim - Abu Dhabi Tour glory

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As many as 18 teams with six riders each will challenge for supremacy at the four-day Abu Dhabi Tour next month.

The 555-km Capital edition will be held on four routes alternating between desert and the sea, and from the mountains to the city.

The race from October 20 to 23 will see three sprint stages and an uphill finish, it was announced during a Press conference on Tuesday.

The Tour, organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with RCS Sport, will see 11 Union Cycliste Internationale WorldTour teams of which eight are from the Velon group, four UCI Professional Continental Teams and three UCI Continental Teams.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council general secretary Aref Al Awani said the success of the Abu Dhabi Tour has been recognised by the fact that this annual sporting event will join the UCI WorldTour calendar in February 2017.

"In addition to the race and the UCI Cycling Gala, we are cultivating several side projects for the development of cycling in schools and among the young. The short-term goal is still to become a world class event but the longer-term focus is to spread the cycling culture, to inspire people into healthy and active lifestyles.

"We have aimed for the highest standards of accommodation, logistics and sporting competition which is now reflected in the calibre of the teams invited and the riders expected at the start," he added.

Also, the jerseys - red, green, white and black - were unveiled. These are sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nation Towers, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Etihad Airways, respectively.

The race will also see on-bike cameras being placed for all the stages.

Mark Cavendish, official ambassador of the Abu Dhabi Tour, said he is eagerly looking forward to race in the Capital. "I will be there to join you all next month. It was an amazing race last year," he said in a video message.

The Tour will be held days after the World Championships and it is expected Cavendish will reach Abu Dhabi as a champion.

The Tour has a balanced route. In the first and third stages it covers the oases of Liwa and Al Ain.

For the third stage - Jabel Hafeet Mountain is the main coverage area. The second round will be in Abu Dhabi City with the finale at the F1 Yas Marina Circuit.

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