STARS SPEAK BEFORE INAUGURAL ABU DHABI TOUR
Pre-race press conference quotes. Exclusive, Ferrari-designed trophy unveiled.
Start flag for Thursday's inaugural stage to be dropped by
official Abu Dhabi Tour Ambassador, Mark Cavendish
Abu Dhabi, 6 October 2015 – Eleven of the world’s leading riders spoke to the media this afternoon in the Yas Event Centre, part of Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit complex, the venue of the press conference preceding the inaugural pre-Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sports and Events. Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team), Tom Boonen (Etixx - Quick [...]
data: 10/10/2015 - partenza: AL AIN (Al Qattara Souq) - arrivo: JEBEL HAFEET - lunghezza: 142 km - dislivello: 900 m
​ PLANIMETRIA GENERALE ABU DHABI TOUR
Sabato 10 ottobre . 3a tappa Abu Dhabi Tour 2015 - AL AIN (Al Qattara Souq) / JEBEL HAFEET 142 Km ALTIMETRIA 3a tappa ABU DHABI TOUR (altre planimetrie in allegato)
Stage 3 – The Al Ain Stage (142km): The toughest stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Starting from Al Qattara Souq, the first 33km follow a series of broad, straight roads, then the peloton will trace a wide circle around the city, crossing the Green Mubazzarah oasis before starting the final climb. 11km long, the Jebel Hafeet ascent reaches an altitude of 1,000m on gradients that average 7.5% and touch 12% on the lower slopes. The climb, on wide, well surfaced roads and with long, sweeping bends, eases into a short descent with 1.5km to go, before resuming a shallow climb to the finish line. The final climb will, in all probability, decide the General Classification.
Altimetria della salita con arrivo ai 928mt di Jebel Hafeet
Planimetria 3D della salita con arrivo ai 928mt di Jebel Hafeet
Ultimi 3km della salita con arrivo ai 928mt di Jebel Hafeet
ESTEBAN CHAVES WINS STAGE 3, THE AL AIN STAGE, OF ABU DHABI TOUR, AND TAKES RED JERSEY
Jebel Hafeet, 10 October 2015 – The Colombian rider Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) has won Stage 3 - the Al Ain Stage - of the first Abu Dhabi Tour, Al Ain (Al Qattara Souq) - Jebel Hafeet, 142km, taking the lead in the overall General Classification. On the podium he was rewarded with the race leader's Red Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC, as well as the Best Young Rider's White Jersey, sponsored by The National.
STAGE RESULT 1 - Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) 142 km in 3h28’04”, average speed 40.948 km/h 2 - Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) at 12" 3 - Wouter Poels (Team Sky) at 21"
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by ADNOC (General Classification by time) – Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL (General Classification by points) – Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by THE NATIONAL (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1990) – Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by ETIHAD AIRWAYS (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) – Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) 2 - Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) at 16" 3 - Wouter Poels (Team Sky) at 27"
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, stage winner and new race leader Esteban Chaves made the following declarations: "It was a very hard climb, and even harder in the heat. The first part was hard, the final kilometres less so, but you needed to have the legs. The racing was hard, too. We are in the middle of the desert and the temperatures were unbelievable, so it was important to keep my body temperature down. The team was great. They worked hard for me all day, bringing me water and ice for my back and head. I poured 30 to 35 bottles of water on my body. I am really happy with this win. It was a hard climb, but I did not raise my hands in celebration because the rider in front of me crashed, and it would not have been correct to celebrate. I would like to send my commiserations to Wout Poels, and also say to the race organisers, 'Congratulations, Abu Dhabi Tour.'"
Press conference interview and further details to follow.
#RideToAbuDhabi
The Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport (8-11 October) consists of four stages covering a total of 555km; three stages suit the sprinters, while the remaining stage finishes uphill after a 10.8km climb with gradients touching 12%.
#UCICyclingGala
On the evening of the last stage, the Tour will have the honour of hosting the very first UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony. This unique event will celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season with its stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANSA / CARCONI - PERI
COLOMBIA'S ESTEBAN CHAVES CLIMBS TO VICTORY AT JEBEL HAFEET
Aru second. Poels lies third, after crash on final corner. Chaves new race leader
Jebel Hafeet, 10 October 2015 – In the Abu Dhabi Tour (8-11 October 2015), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sports and Events, Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) today won Stage 3 - the Al Ain Stage - of the first Abu Dhabi Tour, Al Ain (Al Qattara Souq) - Jebel Hafeet (142km), taking the lead in the overall General Classification.
The race unfolded as follows: a peloton of 100 riders passed km 0 at Al Ain, and Rafaa Chtioui (Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling) and Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) immediately raced clear. They built a maximum lead of 2’37” at km 47.
At the first Intermediate Sprint of the day (Hamdan Bin Mohammad Stadium, km 79) Bazzana passed first, ahead of Chtioui, with Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) then Elia Viviani (Team Sky) passing at the head of the bunch 2’24” later.
At the second Intermediate Sprint (Green Mubazzarah, km 128), Chtioui beat Bazzana to the line with Viviani and Ben Swift (Team Sky) crossing third and fourth, 1’25” later, at the head of the peloton.
At the foot of the final climb up to Jabel Hafeet, Bazzana was quickly caught. Chtioui persisted, to be caught with 9km remaining.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) attacked with 7km to go, to no avail. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Cycling) attacked with 5.6 km to go, and was followed by Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx - Quick Step), and then Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE), who counter-attacked alone.
With 3km remainig, Chaves led Wouter Poels (Team Sky) by 18” and Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Cycling) by 21”. With 700 metres remaining, Poels caught Chaves. The Dutchman launched his sprint, only to slip over on the last bend.
Chaves took the stage win, with Aru 12” behind and Poels at 21”. Victory brought him the race lead overall, denoted by the Red Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC, and the lead in the Best Young Rider competition, denoted by the White Jersey, sponsored by The National.
1 - Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) 142 km in 3h28’04”, average speed 40.948 km/h 2 - Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) at 12" 3 - Wouter Poels (Team Sky) at 21"
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by ADNOC (General Classification by time) – Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL (General Classification by points) – Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by THE NATIONAL (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1990) – Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by ETIHAD AIRWAYS (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) – Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) 2 - Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) at 16" 3 - Wouter Poels (Team Sky) at 27"
Boonen sta meglio e presto tornerà a casa in Belgio
Aggiornamento sulle condizioni di salute di Tom Boonen, caduto e ritiratosi ieri durante la 2a tappa dell’Abu Dhabi Tour.
Il Team Etixx - Quick-Step comunica che gli esami medici effettuati oggi a Tom Boonen, tra cui una TAC, sono rassicuranti.
Tom si sente bene. La natura della frattura richiede l'osservazione el'ulteriore recupero nella clinica dov’è ricoverato per alcuni giorni.
Boonen sarà in grado di rientrare in Belgio in aereo a metà della prossima settimana.
TOMORROW'S STAGE TIMINGS
Stage 4 – The Yas Stage - Yas Marina Circuit - Yas Marina Circuit, 110km
Start Meeting Point: Yas Marina Circuit
Signing-On: 3.00pm-4.30pm
Roll out: 4.35pm
km 0: Approx. 4.40pm
Intermediate Sprints: km 27.5 (start of lap 6), km 55 (start of lap 11) and km 82.5 (start of lap 16)
Finish: Yas Marina Circuit - approx. 7.00pm
Race Headquarters: Yas Events Centre, Gate 20, Yas West Entrance
UPDATE ON TOM BOONEN’S CONDITIONS
The rider is fine. He has been able to sleep. He has a mild headache due to the head trauma and fracture of the temporal bone. His condition is stable (as confirmed by the CT scan performed today). Due to the kind of fracture he sustained, he will stay under observation until Thursday, when all the relevant medical examinations have been carried out.
FINAL STAGE AND PARADE
For the final stage on 11 October, entry to the Yas Marina Circuit is free. The Circuit will open at 3.30pm local time, in time for the race start at 4.40pm. After the race, there will be a spectacular show and concert with magicians, light shows and music for fans inside the circuit, which fans can enjoy while they ride their bikes around the track. A unique atmosphere is guaranteed.
ROUTE
The entire stage takes place at night on the Yas Marina Circuit. 110km at night under the floodlights of the F1 Circuit. The peloton will complete 20 laps (5.5km each) culminating in the last Abu Dhabi Tour sprint. The circuit is wide and the road surface in impeccable condition.
POST STAGE DECLARATIONS
Stage winner - Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE): Q: What does it mean to be so close to winning the first Abu Dhabi Tour? A: It is important for me. Cycling is more global now. The big races are not all on one continent, There are important races in America, Asia, and now the UAE. It is important for cycling, and for us too.
Q: Did you ever have any doubts about coming to the Abu Dhabi Tour? A:No. In January, MatthewWhite asked me if I wanted to come, and I said, "Of course! I don't know Abu Dhabi."
Q: Will you come again? A: For sure!
Q: You had a front row seat for Wout Poels' crash. A:I attacked really early, because the final part of the climb was less steep, and therefore it was easier for a rider like Poels. He caught me in the final kilometre, and started his sprint, but on the final corner, 50m from the finish, his wheel slipped and he went down. I came passed him and won the stage. I want to say that I am sorry for Poels. I won the stage, but it would not have been correct to celebrate and raise my arms. I passed the finish line, and I took the win, but cycling is like that.
Q: Did Poels take too much of a risk? A: It was a 180-degree bend, 50m from the finish line: you have to take risks in that situation. Sprinting is like that. I think he fell because of sand on the road. I say again, that is sport.
Q: If he had not fallen, could you still have won? A: I don't know. I would have tried, but you can never know.
Q: How do you see your future after what happened this year? A: I have one dream in my life. I started it when I was 12. I want to win the the Tour de France one day. It is a long away away, and I have never even ridden the Tour. I have only ridden one Giro d'Italia and two Vueltas. This year has been really important for my career. I can now say that I can do it: ride competitively for 3 weeks. Maybe next year I will ride one more big Tour, really focused on the GC, and we will see how I do.
Q: What does it mean to take this jersey with one stage remaining? A: A short, flat stage, at that, and, I hope, less warm. We race at night tomorrow, and normally in Abu Dhabi it is 5-7 degrees less at night, which is perfect. We'll certainly try to keep the jersey
Q: It is your first GC win as a pro rider? A: It is true. I hadn't thought of that! I have won the Tour de l'Avenir, but as a pro, when I pass the finish line tomorrow, if I win, it will be my first GC win. Every win is big.
Q: On the Abetone stage of the Giro d'Italia, you tried to ride follow Contador when he attacked. Was that a turning point for you? A: Yes. I wasn't just trying to follow them: I had the chance of wearing the Maglia Rosa. My first Giro d'Italia was very important for me, My body matured incredibly, and so did my mind. It makes you stronger. Your body is stronger, you can train harder, for longer, with more intensity, and that helped me for the Vuelta, where I won two stages, the leader's jersey, and things changed for me in the sense that now, when I start a race, I know that maybe I can win.
2nd in the stage - Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Cycling): "We had two contenders, Vincenzo and myself, so we tried everything, but Chaves showed that he was the strongest today. I didn't see what happened to Poels because I was just bit further back, but I am sorry for him. The season has finished well for us. I have have tried to honour every race that I have started, even when I have not been at my very best. I had a lot of commitments in September, and I was not in a position to train in the best way, but I have tried to do my job and give everything I had."
3rd in the stage - Wouter Poels (Team Sky): "I caught him on the last part of the climb, just before the downhill section. I knew he was very tired, so I sprinted on the final rise, but on the final bend I fell. I don't win a lot of race, and when you come so close... What can I say? That's cycling."
#RideToAbuDhabi
The Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport (8-11 October) consists of four stages covering a total of 555km; three stages suit the sprinters, while the remaining stage finishes uphill after a 10.8km climb with gradients touching 12%. The General Classification is expected to be decided on the climb.
#UCICyclingGala
On the evening of the last stage, the Tour will have the honour of hosting the very first UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony. This unique event will celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season with its stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANSA / CARCONI - PERI
VIDEO CREDIT: ANSA / MENTUCCIA
مرØباً (MARHABAN!) FROM STAGE 3, THE AL AIN STAGE,
OF THE INAUGURAL ABU DHABI TOUR
Al Ain (Al Qattara Souq), 10 October 2015 – مرØباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 3, the Al Ain Stage, of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour (8-11 October 2015), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sports and Events. Starting from the Al Qattara Souq in Al Ain, the route leads, via two intermediate sprints, to the decisive climb of the race, Jebel Hafeet, where the finish lies at an altitude of 1,025 metres.
During the stage, 36 Green Jersey Points (of a race total of 152), 16 Black Jersey Points (of a race total of 72) and 16 seconds in time bonuses are up for grabs.
The ceremonial roll out started on schedule at 12:55. After crossing the 500m neutralised zone, the peloton, now exactly 100 strong, passed km 0 at 13:00.
STAGE AND TIMINGS
Stage 3 – The Al Ain Stage: Al Ain (Al Qattara Souq) - Jebel Hafeet, 142km
Intermediate Sprints: km 79.1 - Hamdan Bin Mohammad St. and km 128.8 - Green Mubazzarah
Finish: Jebel Hafeet - approx. 5.00pm
Race Headquarters: Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel, UAE
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by ADNOC (General Classification by time) – Elia Viviani (Team Sky)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL (General Classification by points) – Elia Viviani (Team Sky). Jersey worn today by Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team), second in the points classification
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by THE NATIONAL (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1990) – Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by ETIHAD AIRWAYS (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) – Alessandro Bazzana (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
ROUTE
The toughest stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Starting from Al Qattara Souq and following wide, straight roads for the first 33km, the peloton then traces a wide circle around the city before crossing the Green Mubazzarah oasis to the start of the final climb. 10.8 km long, the Jebel Hafeet reaches 1,025m on gradients that average 7.5% and touch 12% on the lower slopes. The climb, on a broad and well-surfaced road with long, open bends, eases into a short descent with 1.5km to go, before the shallow climb to the finish line. The final climb will, in all probability, decide the General Classification.
POINTS OF INTEREST
km 0 - Al Qattara Souq
Al Qattara Souq is an open-air marketplace that dates back to mid-1900s and was founded by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on a road lined with palms that connects the Al Qattara and Al Jimi ad Al Ain oases.
The crafts market is held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from October to May, and encourages local families to preserve and promote Abu Dhabi culture through traditional local crafts. The souk is connected to the Al Qattara fort that houses a major art gallery.
km 15 - Al Jahili Fort
The charming Al Jahili Fort, in Al Ain, is one of the oldest UAE buildings in Abu Dhabi. It was built in 1891 to defend the city and protect its palm groves. In the past it lodged the Trucial Oman Scouts, who protected the mountain passes and kept peace among the tribes. Carefully restored, the building now houses a permanent exhibition about the British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger (whom the locals fondly call "Mubarak Bin London") and his journey across the Rub Al Khali desert (The Empty Quarter) in 1940.
km 20 - Al Ain Zoo
This 900-hectare park near Jebel Hafeet is home to a great variety of animals kept in large enclosures where their natural habitats are reproduced. There are numerous green public areas for picnic and children’s play areas, a canteen and a train tour across the natural reserve.
km 22 - Al Ain Oasis
Once an important and lush oasis on the caravan route from the Emirates to Oman, Al Ain (in English “the spring”) is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited settlements in Abu Dhabi and lies at the heart of the Emirate’s historical heritage. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Al Ain oasis feeds the falaj, a 3,000-year-old irrigation system that sustains the palm plantations. It covers 1,200 hectares (approx. 3,000 acres) and has over 147,000 date palms of 100 different varieties. Entrance is free.
km 80 - Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
With a capacity of 25,000 seats, it is home to Al Ain FC, who play in the UAE Pro-League. The stadium houses a major residential and office complex with 50 restaurants, a 172-room hotel, a shopping mall and a sports centre. It is 15 minutes from Al Ain airport, near the Oman border.
km 130 - Green Mubazzarah
Inaugurated in 2004, Green Mubazzarah is a park centred on the hot springs in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet. It has grassy meadows, rivers, artificial lakes, hot springs and chalets. It was inspired by a Swiss village near Geneva that made a lasting impression on the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, during a vacation.
km 142 - Jebel Hafeet
1,240m high, the Jebel Hafeet is the highest peak in the Emirate and the second highest in the UAE. Its rocky summit, rising as if to defend Al Ain and straddling the border with Oman, was shaped in calcareous stone over millions of years. Over 500 ancient graves dating back 5,000 years have been discovered at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet.
#RideToAbuDhabi
The Abu Dhabi Tour, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport (8-11 October), consists of four stages covering a total of 555km; three stages suit the sprinters, while the remaining stage finishes uphill after a 10.8km climb with gradients touching 12%. The General Classification is expected to be decided on the climb.
#UCICyclingGala
On the evening of the last day, the Tour will have the honour of hosting the very first UCI Cycling Gala awards ceremony. This unique event will celebrate the end of the UCI professional road cycling season with its stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR PHOTO CREDIT: ANSA / CARCONI - PERI
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR PHOTO CREDIT: ANSA / CARCONI - PERI
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR - IMMAGINI TV
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148_16_AD15_03_CR_MED.pdf
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ESTEBAN CHAVES vince la 3a tappa con arrivo in salita in mezzo al deserto e comanda la classifica generale dell'ABU DHABI TOUR