Road closures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for UAE Tour cycling race

The inaugural event will feature cycling stars from all over the world racing for victory on the country's roads

Road closures on February 25 for Stage 2 (184km): Abu Dhabi Stage - sprint stage starting at Yas Island, ending at Abu Dhabi Big Flag.

Road closures on February 26 for Stage 3 (179km): Year of Tolerance Stage - mountain stage starting at UAE University, ending at Jebel Hafeet.

Road closures on February 27 for Stage 4 (205km): Dubai Municipality Stage - medium mountain stage starting at Palm Jumeirah, ending at Hatta Dam.

Road closures on February 28 for Stage 5 (181km): Sharjah Stage - sprint stage starting at Flag Island, ending at Khor Fakkan.

Road closures on March 1 for Stage 6 (180km): RAK Properties Stage - mountain stage starting in Ajman, ending at Jebel Jais.

Road closures on March 2 for Stage 7 (145km): Dubai Stage - sprint stage starting at Dubai Safari Park, ending at City Walk.

The UAE Tour cycling race will get under way next week and motorists should be aware of a string of road closures.

Organisers of the elite professional cycling race - which will feature 20 teams and some of the biggest names in the sport - have released details of routes which will be closed for six of the seven stages of the event.

The opening stage on Sunday, a 16-kilometre team time trial on Al Hudayriat Island, will have no impact on drivers.

Road closures will be in force from Monday.

Monday: Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi stage

The 184km route starts at Yas Mall, before heading up to Khalifa Port and returning for a ride from Yas Island to Saadiyat Island ahead of a sprint finish at Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

Road closures will be in place along the route from 11:25am to 4:25pm.

Tuesday: Department of Transport stage - Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet 

The first of two mountain stages will take cyclists on a challenging route from Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet over the course of 179km.

Various road closures will be in put place from 11:30am, at the start of the route at Nahyan The First Street until after the stage winds down at Jebel Hafeet Road at about 4:25pm.

Wednesday: Dubai Muncipality stage - Palm Jumeirah to Hatta Dam

The longest stage of the tour, at a gruelling 197km, will set off from Palm Jumeirah before hitting the Hajar Mountains and finally reaching Hatta Dam.

Road closures will commence at 11am in Palm Jumeirah, with routes in Madinat Jumeirah and Al Sufouh Road affected. The final road closure will be put into operation at 3:55pm, as the cycling convoy snakes its way to Hatta Dam.

Thursday: Sharjah stage - Sharjah to Khor Fakkan

This stage links the Arabian Gulf to the Sea of Oman, crossing the desert from the University of Sharjah to the University of Khalba, going through Fujairah and finishing in Khor Fakkan.

Roads will be closed from 11:35am at Sharjah University, with routes also sealed off at the University of Khalba. The E99 at Khor Fakkan will be closed from 3:55pm.

Friday: RAK Properties stage - Ajman to Jebel Jais

The second and final mountain stage connects Ajman to Jebel Jais. The E11 in Ajman will be closed at 11:20pm ahead of the start of the stage. Roads will also be shut in Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khimah as riders travel through three emirates during the day. The final road closure at Wadi Shah will be in place from 2.55pm.

Saturday: Dubai stage - Dubai Safari Park to City Walk

The decisive stage will go through the streets of Dubai, departing from Dubai Safari and speeding past Dubai Design District, Mushrif Park, Al Mamzar Beach, Deira and Port Rashis before reaching Jumeirah Road on the final stretch to the finishing point at City Walk. Road closures will start at 12:25pm at Dubai Safari Park with a number of roads on the road, the last being Al Wasl Road at 3:55pm.