He who conquers Jebel Hafeet holds the key to the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. That, at least, seems to be the consensus ahead of the 555-kilometre, four-stage Tour which begins on Thursday.
The Jebel Hafeet climb forms the end of the third of four stages of the race, the Al Ain Stage, on Saturday.
At 11.7km long and with an average gradient of 7.5 per cent, which touches 12 per cent on a couple of bends, the climb is widely expected to become one of the tougher ones on the international circuit.
Some riders consider it to be a Category 1 climb, once the toughest classification of ascents in cycling.
“For sure, it will be a big factor in deciding this race,” said Peter Sagan, the race’s star attraction and recently crowned UCI Road World Champion.
“The winds and the temperatures will also be a factor, but this climb will be the real test of the four stages.”
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It is a factor Mark Cavendish had highlighted a few weeks ago at the unveiling of the four jerseys up for grabs at the race. Cavendish is the Tour ambassador and, though he had to pull out with an injury, he will be in Abu Dhabi throughout the race.
That will bring into the spotlight the climbing specialists in the field of 108 riders. Fabio Aru, Vincenzo Nibali, Allejandro Valverde and Esteban Chavez will be expected to figure strongly at Jebel Hafeet.
“It’s the final race of the season and we’re all tired,” Valverde said. “I am looking forward to that third day.
“It’s a hard climb, but its good for me. There are other good riders here, though, who will be trying to win. I’m just delighted to be here.”
The other three stages are all across flat terrain and are expected to produce bunch finishes. But the course has been designed to ensure unpredictability and when pressed, Cavendish acknowledged it is difficult to pick out a potential winner.
His predictions, he added, were not made any easier by the high quality of the field.
General end-of-season fatigue, coupled with the weather conditions, could also play a decisive role. Many of the top riders have arrived off the back of gruelling schedules.
For example, Nibali arrived in Abu Dhabi having won the prestigious Il Lombardia on Sunday. Sagan won the world championships in the United States less than two weeks ago.
Other contenders, such as Aru and the German Marcel Kittel, were cautious about their prospects.
“I’m tired after a very hard season,” Aru said. “I’m delighted to be here. My form after the Vuelta a Espana is a question mark as I’ve had a lot of commitments. But I am here with a good team and happy to work with Nibali.”
The race begins with the Liwa Stage. On Friday, the riders race in the capital city itself and, after Al Ain, they end the Tour with a race at the Yas Marina circuit.
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