What: The Dubai Tour cycling race
When: February 4-7
Where: Dubai, extending down to the Dubai Waterfront project, running up as far as roughly Deira, and extending well inland into the desert and out, in one stage, as far as Hatta Dam.
*All scheduling and course information is currently via race organisers and will be upated if changed
What’s this event about?
The Dubai Tour is staging its second running of the UCI Asia Tour stage race. It has been upgraded to 2.HC status for 2015, meaning UCI ProTeams, composed of the world’s elite cyclists, UCI professional continental teams, UCI continental teams and national teams may participate. The HC classification is the second-highest given to sanctioned races.
The 663-kilometre event has in four stages, and is typically a showcase for sprint riders given the mostly flat track in and around Dubai.
Are any big names involved?
Certainly. Last year American rising star Taylor Phinney won the "Circle of Stars" trophy, while German time trial star Marcel Kittel won the points classification.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara, an eight-time stage winner at the Tour de France and Portuguese Rui Costa, a three-time Tour de France stage winner, rode in Dubai.
Another young star, Peter Sagan of Slovakia, winner of the last three points classification titles at the Tour de France, participated as well, while the eventual 2014 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali was here too.
The official entry list hasn’t been released yet, but major teams like Movistar, Tinkoff-Saxo and Team Sky are expected to run.
Anything new?
The first stage has changed from a 10km time-trial that ran through downtown Dubai, starting at the Dubai World Trade Centre and ending at the Burj Khalifa, into a full-fledged 145km stage that begins at the Dubai International Marine Club and runs to the Union House in Jumeirah near Mina. In all there are an extra 246km in this year’s race, helping it reach the higher race classification.
Each of the latter three stages show slight alterations, the biggest being that while the World Trade Centre was the starting line for all four last year, this year all four will begin from the Marine Club.
If I want to watch?
It’s free to stand along the course. The Atlantis Palm Jumeirah finish to Stage 2 and Burj Khalifa finale for Stage 4 should provide spectacular imagery. The National’s Gary Meenaghan offers his recommendations below:
Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi
Every day, from 9am
With the riders starting all four days at the Dubai International Marine Club, it will be the prime place to speak with the athletes, get some autographs and watch them interacting with each other before they set off to tackle each stage.
Union Flag
Day 1, 1.30pm to 3.30pm;
After 145km, the first stage ends with a turn at the Union Flag at the start of Jumeirah Beach Road. Position yourself there and you can witness the entire end phase as the riders race in, turn and proceed at pace back to the finish line.
Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
Day 2, 2.30pm to 3.35pm
On the second day of the Dubai Tour, a 187km stage will culminate in front of the Atlantis. A place at the tip of Palm Jumeirah puts fans between the Gulf and the finish line, which fine views of both.
Hajar Mountains
Day 3, 2.30pm to 3.45pm
On the third day, after more than 150km of flat riding, the field will face a short climb into the Hajar Mountains. As well as some of the most beautiful natural scenery the emirate has to offer, the Hatta stage of the event is also expected to produce a few surprise performances.
Burj Khalifa
Day 4, 2.30pm to 3.35pm
The Burj stage on the final day is 123km and the riders will be able to see the finish line throughout given its position at the foot of the world’s tallest building. It will act as the backdrop to the podium ceremony when the winner of the general classification stands – blue-shirted – and celebrates winning the second Dubai Tour.
How will this affect my commute?
UPDATE: The National now has a detailed map of Dubai Tour road closures
This is a good question. The Dubai Tour meant closed roads throughout the four-day race last year, and The National had some useful reporting on the subject.
The most important thing to remember is that it didn't turn out to be too bad. And many schools closed on the Thursday last year, alleviating many congestion concerns.
The exact schedule of what roads will be closed exactly when will be released nearer the race, but as a general refresher, last year the race kept various roads closed for up to four hours, though usually only two or three, until the cyclists moved through, and only two days of the race fall on weekdays.
Last year’s report noted that Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, head of the Dubai Police traffic department, said: “Fortunately, the event is not taking place early in the morning when people are heading to their jobs. People would already be at work at around noon. It would be favourable if drivers can avoid these places for two or three hours during which the race is taking place.”
This was the full list of last year's closures:
Day 1 – Start time: 1pm; Blocked roads: Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Sheikh Mohammed Boulevard.
Day 2 – Start time: 11.20am; Blocked roads: DWTC, Zaabeel Rd, Al Meydan Rd, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, Umm Suqeim Rd, Al Soufouh Rd, Emirates Hills, Atlantis the Palm Jumeirah.
Day 3 – Start time: 10.30am; Blocked roads: DWTC, Airport Rd, Khawaneej Rd, Emirates Rd, Al Hubab Rd, Hatta.
Day 4 – Start time: 11.30am; Blocked roads: DWTC, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Baniyas Rd, Al Seef Rd, Al Ras Rd, Al Shindagha Rd, Al Dewan Rd, Jumeirah Rd, Burj Plaza Rd.
*We will keep this space updated as the traffic implications of the race become clearer. For a look at the 2015 race map, visit the Dubai Tour's official website and click "Race" at the top of the page. Each day of the stage will follow a different course through the city.
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