Abu Dhabi roads to be closed for race
abu dhabi — Just days ahead of the Abu Dhabi Tour, details and timings of road closures throughout the first three stages from February 23 to February 25 have been announced.
The first stage — Emirates Motor Company Stage — runs entirely in the desert, with the first and last parts of about 45km on straight, wide roads. Once in Liwa, the riders will face the first Intermediate Sprint, followed by a section in the desert with constant undulations over dunes which is ridden first in one direction, and then in the opposite direction.
After the passage in Liwa comes the second Intermediate Sprint, then the course takes the riders to Madinat Zayed by reversing the route of the outward journey.
As the race starts at Madinat Zayed at 12.30pm, road closures will begin from 11.45am. And on the route, roads will be closed for 30 to 45 minutes till the race passage. The race will conclude at Madinat Zayed at 5pm.
The second stage — Nation Towers Stage — runs mostly in the city of Abu Dhabi. After the start, the race goes through Reem Island, then along the Abu Dhabi Corniche for the first time before turning south on wide, straight boulevards. Here the route passes close to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and reaches Shakhbout City before riding through Al Shahama and Al Bahya, then returning to Yas Island.
The final part of the stage is raced on the Sheikh bin Zayed Highway towards the Abu Dhabi Corniche and the finish line. The entire route is on wide boulevards with “cat’s eyes” road reflectors constantly dividing the lanes.
Road closures on stage 2 will start from 12.30pm till 5pm on the roads of the race. The third stage on February 25 — Al Maryah Island Stage — comprises both urban surroundings and mountains.
The first part, inside Al Ain city, is all on wide roads with roundabouts and speed humps and is followed by a second part in the desert along wide and predominantly straight roads. At 15km to go, the route starts to rise slightly towards the final ascent, culminating in an uphill finish at an altitude of 1,025m, following an 11km climb with slopes with an 11 per cent gradient.