The second iteration of the Abu Dhabi Tour cycling event takes place Thursday, October 20 through Sunday, October 23. The first two stages on Thursday and Friday – the Adnoc Stage and the Nation Tower Stage – are both sprinter stages, and Saturday features the medium-mountain Strata Stage. Sunday's final stage is entirely on Yas Island.
As earlier reported, the race has been upgraded to be part of the UCI World Tour, making it one of the cycling world's elite events beginning with next year's race. Abu Dhabi will thus host some of the sport's biggest names.
Drivers will need to be aware of road closures this weekend around the capital:
• Road closures: Thursday | Friday | Saturday
Here's everything cycling fans need to know before the start of the race. Stick with The National's Sport team for more news throughout the week.
Full schedule and results
• Stage 1: Giacomo Nizzolo takes rivals by surprise in Madinat Zayed stage
• Stage 2: Mark Cavendish, an intriguing ambassador for cycling and now an Abu Dhabi Tour stage winner
• Stage 3: For Astana's Tanel Kangert, a day on top of the mountain, for once
• Stage 4: Sunday, Yas Marina Circuit (26 laps), 5pm (143km)
• Stage maps: Interactive for all four days
• Who: Riders and team lists
• Race jerseys: What each shirt represents
• Yousif Mirza: UAE rider at Rio Olympics
The latest
• Alberto Contador ready to relax after 'pretty hard climb' in Abu Dhabi Tour
• In pictures: Up Jebel Hafeet they go in Abu Dhabi Tour's third stage
• Crowds welcome Abu Dhabi Tour riders to the capital
• Elia Viviani hails Mark Cavendish 'the best sprinter this year' after sprint finish defeat
• In pictures: Abu Dhabi Tour Stage 2 takes in the city sights before Cavendish wins sprint finish
• Emirati Yousef Mirza reflects on 'proud moment' after finishing Stage 1
• For Vincenzo Nibali, UAE turns out to be a place to turn the page
• Osman Samiuddin comment: Landscape and dedication of organisers means Abu Dhabi Tour always destined for elite status
• Out of Africa: Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka helping to push cycling's global message
• Bradley Wiggins: Former Tour de France winner pulls out of Abu Dhabi Tour cycling event
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