Abu Dhabi Tour a chance to make cycling ‘part of the lifestyle’ of the UAE

The winner of the 2014 Tour de France, Vincenzo Nibali, right, will be among the star names competing at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Eric Feferberg / AFP

ABU DHABI // A high quality field will ensure the Abu Dhabi Tour makes an instant impact on the international cycling circuit, but organisers want the race to resonate deeper within the community.

The Union Cycliste International (UCI) has given the inaugural race, which begins on October 8, a 2.1 classification, which denotes its relative importance in terms of points, prize money and competitiveness. There is only one classification above it and then the ultimate races, the Grand Tours such as the Tour de France.

Though Mark Cavendish has withdrawn because of a shoulder injury, the field remains an exemplary one: the 2014 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali will be here, as well as Peter Sagan, who won the UCI World Championship road race on Sunday.

An extensive series of community promotions have already begun across the capital and surrounding areas where the race will take place.

Fan zones and interactions with schools and in malls are scheduled in the run-up to the race, and there will be an organised ride for amateur cyclists, potentially along some of the race locations.

“Cycling is becoming much bigger here,” Talal Al Hashemi, technical affairs director at Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) said.

“The race is one of the stages of the World Tour and it is an opportunity to show off the investment in Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure.

“But it is also about making sport part of the lifestyle of people in Abu Dhabi and showing them how important this kind of activity for their life is.

“It’s important to add many community cycling events to show people how accessible and healthy this sport is. Anyone can buy a bike to start. You don’t have to have a professional one to start, you just need to start with a normal bike.”

Cavendish remains on board as an ambassador for the race. He has left Etixx-Quick Step, his team of three years, for a South African outfit, Team Dimension Data.

Al Hashemi was confident, however, that the field retains enough lustre without his presence. Given that the Tour signed a three-year agreement with the Velon Group, which has in its stable the world’s leading cycling teams, big names were not going to be a problem.

“In sport, you have to accept what has happened,” Al Hashemi said.

“We are confident that we have other top quality riders and names here though. Obviously we were hoping he [Cavendish] would be here, but in sport this can happen and we wish him the best of luck in his recovery.

“The teams that are coming, the individual riders as well, bring big value to the race. It will be followed around the world because of the big names.” ​