Road closures across Abu Dhabi for 2015 Tour

Motorists are advised to avoid roads the Abu Dhabi Tour will pass through and seek alternative routes.

A representative from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the sponsor of the green jersey which is worn by the fastest man of the peloton points classification, makes a brief presentation during thShow more

ABU DHABI // Motorists are warned of a series of road closures over the next few days for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycling race.

The event, which runs from Thursday until Sunday, will feature 108 competitors over a four-stage, 555-kilometre course around the emirate.

Motorists are advised to avoid roads the race will pass through and to seek alternative routes.

› Check out a map of the race here.

The event starts in Liwa in the Western Region tomorrow and some roads will be closed to traffic between noon and 5.30pm. Roads along the route will be closed and reopened in stages.

The Liwa stage starts among sand dunes surrounding the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, leading to two circuits around Liwa and the nearby oasis. The cyclists then head north for 55km towards Madinat Zayed, followed by a 15km loop of the town.

Partial road closures were announced this week by the Abu Dhabi Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee. Drivers are advised to drive safely and follow instructions, it said yesterday. Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of public relations at Abu Dhabi traffic police, urged motorists to be patient and to exercise caution on the roads this weekend.

For the capital stage on Friday, some roads will be partially closed to traffic from 1.15pm to 5.15pm.

The stage starts at Yas Marina Circuit and heads towards the south of the city. After passing by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre, competitors will take a U-turn back to Yas Island. The riders then race along the Corniche to Emirates Palace, where they will turn back to Yas Island to the finish line near Yas Mall.

The Al Ain stage is held on Saturday, with cyclists starting at Al Qattara Souq before climbing up Jebel Hafeet mountain. Road closures will take place between 12.30pm and 5.15pm.

The final stage on Sunday night will not need any road closures as the peloton will complete 20 laps of Yas Marina Circuit.

More than 13 police departments, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and RCS Sport, have worked to ensure the smooth flow of cyclists and traffic.