Taking place for the first time from the 8-11th October 2015, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour race will see 18 teams take on four stages - three flat and one mountain - with a twilight stage as the finale.
Headline riders, who have been announced, including Etixx - Quick-Step and Abu Dhabi Tour Official Ambassador, Mark Cavendish; BMC Racing Team’s 2012 road World Champion, Philippe Gilbert; Orica GreenEDGE’s Michael Matthews; Team Giant - Alpecin’s star sprinter, Marcel Kittel; Lampre - Merida’s puncheur, Diego Ulissi; Team Sky’s Richie Porte, and Tinkoff - Saxo’s Peter Sagan.
Speaking about the race, Etixx - Quick-Step rider and Abu Dhabi Tour Official Ambassador, Mark Cavendish said: "I’m real excited about racing in the Abu Dhabi Tour as the season’s grand finale. It’s a beautiful country with a growing fan base in cycling. The organisers are putting on a great race that is sprinter friendly race but with the overall winner being decided on Stage 3 on the summit finish up Jebel Hafeet for sure. So there is something for all the top riders and teams. The best and most unique stage of the race will be the final stage on the Yas Marina Formula 1 race track at night under lights - criterium style racing with 20 laps of 5.5km. Brilliant for the fans and a special occasion for the riders and teams too. What a way to finish the race season for everyone."
BMC Racing Team’s Philippe Gilbert, 2012 road World Champion and double-stage winner at this year's Giro d'Italia, said: "The new race in Abu Dhabi is exciting and will introduce cycling to a new part of the world. I will finish my season there, and I would be proud to race the Abu Dhabi Tour in the rainbow jersey if I am successful in Richmond".
Team Giant-Alpecin’s Marcel Kittel said: "I'm happy to race at the Abu Dhabi Tour and I am looking forward to being part of the first edition of this race".
Lampre - Merida’s Diego Ulissi said: "Abu Dhabi Tour is scheduled at the end of a long season, nevertheless many top riders will be battling on Abu Dhabi roads: it's something very interesting and exciting, all the cycling fans will have an extra appointment to enjoy. I accepted the idea of participating in the race, I like the idea of trying to be protagonist in Abu Dhabi".
Michael Matthews, Orica GreenEDGE said: “I’m really looking forward to be racing in Abu Dhabi. It would be the perfect opportunity to finish the season on a high note. The style of racing that I think we’ll see there really suits our team and we are all ready to go there and chase some success. It’s great to see new races like this on the calendar – as riders we’re proud to bring racing to a new audience”.
Team Sky’s Richie Porte said: “It’s exciting to be a part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Some of the biggest names in cycling will be competing which will be great for the fans. It will be a great way to end the season and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Tinkoff - Saxo's Peter Sagan said: "I look forward to racing in the inaugural edition of the Tour of Abu Dhabi and I think its organization has all it takes to make it a must-attend race that will bring the world's best riders and teams."
BMC Racing Team’s President/General Manager, Jim Ochowicz said: "This race extends our footprint in the Middle East, which has been very productive for us in past years. With the addition of the Abu Dhabi Tour next month, it gives the BMC Racing Team another opportunity to grow our reach into new markets".
Patrick Lefevere CEO of Etixx - Quick-Step said: "I think it is very important to be present in Abu Dhabi, a place where sport is highly regarded as a vehicle of communication and promotion, as can be seen in the reception of the GP and Formula 1 events. Going to Abu Dhabi would take our sport a step further. It will also be interesting to wrap up the season with a Gala that will celebrate the year of racing and the brightest stars, as other sports already do. I consider it a great opportunity to promote cycling on an international scale and I hope that both the race and the Gala can enjoy the proper international exposure."
Iwan Spekenbrink, CEO of Team Giant-Alpecin said: "As a team we are looking forward to participating in the Abu Dhabi Tour. It will be a prestigious and important race for all the riders and teams. Our team aims to be competitive there and contribute to the success of this appealing new race”.
The Teams
The 2.1 class race will see 18 teams in total consisting of 6 riders each and the teams and their lead riders are:
BMC Racing Team (USA) - Gilbert
Etixx - Quick-Step (BEL) - Cavendish
Lampre - Merida (ITA) - Ulissi, Xu Gang
Orica GreenEDGE (AUS) - Matthews, Chaves
Team Giant - Alpecin (GER) - Kittel, Dumoulin, Ji Cheng
Team Sky (GBR) - Porte
Tinkoff - Saxo (RUS) - Sagan
Astana Pro Team (KAZ) - Nibali, Aru
Movistar Team (ESP) - Valverde
MTN - Quebeka (RSA) - Teklehaimanot
Team Katusha (RUS) - Rodriguez
Bora-Argon (GER) - Buchmann
Colombia (COL) - Quintero
Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS) - Brown
Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team - Al Ahli Club (UAE) - Al Murawwi
Team Wiggins (GBR) - Patten
UAE National Team (UAE) - Yousif Mirza
United Healthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA) - Brajkovic