MARK CAVENDISH IS STAGE 2 WINNER AND ABU DHABI TOUR RACE LEADER
Official Race Ambassador wins spectacular and safe stage in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, 21 October 2016 – The police support who made the streets of Abu Dhabi safe for the 115km long Stage 2 enabled official race ambassador Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) to claim his first ever victory on the Abu Dhabi Tour. He also moved into the lead of the overall classification after he outsprinted Elia Viviani (Team Sky) and Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team). The day’s six-man breakaway included Jens Keukeleire (Orica-BikeExchange) and Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling) who went up the road for the second straight day. They retained the black jersey of the Intermediate Sprints and the white jersey of Best Young Rider respectively after getting reeled in by the peloton with less than 1km to go. The race highlighted the iconic monuments of the United Arab Emirates.

DOWNLOAD

• Stage 2 Results
• Abu Dhabi Tour official roadbook
• Abu Dhabi Tour route details

STAGE RESULT
1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 115km in 2h32’21”, average speed 45.290km/h
2 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
3 - Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) s.t.

JERSEYS

• RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
• GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
• WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling)
• BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)

QUOTES
In the press conference, the winner and Red Jersey said: "I’m very happy to win here, being the ambassador of the race. I got caught yesterday, I wanted to come here and be successful. It’s very good to win. I was in a hard position at the end but to see Mark Renshaw come back and help me win was very enjoyable. The question about still being motivated so late in the season is also about how early the season starts. It’s difficult to get WorldTour points in January and stay on form until now. I usually peak for the Tour de France in July, but this year is different because the World Championships suited me and the Abu Dhabi Tour suits me as well."

After the finish line, White Jersey Dion Smith said: "I tried to increase the lead for the white jersey. The bonuses in the intermediate sprints really came first and I’m glad I gained three seconds on the way. So it was another good day for sure. But I had to keep sprinting really once we got caught in the last kilometer in order to avoid time gaps with the top sprinters. We just had enough of a lead. I kept going as fast as I could and hoped for the best. Tomorrow I’ll try to get in a breakaway again to target more time bonus before the hard finish. I’m not sure if I’ll be right up there but I’ll give it a crack."

Black Jersey Jens Keukeleire said: "When there is an opportunity, it would be a shame to not try and defend a jersey so I went into the breakaway again with the black jersey in mind and I won the two intermediate sprints I was targeting. It was another good day. I’ve also believed in the last ten kilometers that we would make it to the finish and thought that possibly I was the fastest man of the front group but everybody was at the limit in the last 25km. It’s really hard to make a breakaway survive till the end."



TOMORROW'S STAGE: Stage 3 – STRATA STAGE / AL AIN – JEBEL HAFEET (150KM)
The third 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 1025m, following an 11km climb with slopes with an 11% gradient.

Last km
The final climb is on wide-ranging bends on a three-lane roadway. The gradient is mostly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% at 3km to go. There are short descents in the last kilometres before the final ramp with a straight finish on asphalt.



POINTS OF INTEREST
AL AIN - 150km to go
Al Ain is one of the world's oldest permanently inhabited settlements, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is the second largest in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest city in the UAE. Al Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates.
 
QASR AL MUWAIJI - 150km to go
The historic Qasr Al Muwaiji – birthplace of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE – is one of the UAE’s most significant historic buildings and is located in the centre of the Al Ain. Built in the early 20th century, this simple but striking building was originally used as a diwan (a council or seat of governance) and as a place for the community to congregate. A permanent exhibition, housed in an elegant glass-walled space within the courtyard of Qasr al Muwaiji, tells the story of the fort and its inhabitants.
 
AL JAHILI FORT - 145km to go
The picturesque Al Jahili Fort is one of the UAE’s most historic buildings. It was erected in 1891 to defend the city and protect precious palm groves. The former headquarters of the Oman Trucial Scouts, the force that protected the mountain passes and kept inter-tribal peace, it also served as a residence for the local governor. The fort has been carefully restored and now houses a permanent exhibition of the work of British adventurer Sir Wilfred Thesiger (whom the locals affectionately refer to as ‘Mubarak Bin London’) and his 1940s crossings of the Rub Al Khali (The Empty Quarter) desert.
 
AL AIN OASIS - 145km to go
Once an important and lush oasis on the caravan route from the Emirates to Oman, Al Ain (in English “the spring”) is the core of the Emirate’s historical heritage, one of the oldest settlements that has been always been inhabited and is part of the Unesco World Heritage. The Al Ain oasis features a series of irrigation canals (an irrigation system over 3,000 years old, the falaj) that provide water to the palm plantations. It stretches across about 1,200 hectares (approx. 3,000 acres) and has over 147,000 date palms of 100 different varieties. Entry is free.
 
AL HILI - 130km to go
Just 10km outside Al Ain (on the road to Dubai) the Hili Archaeological Gardens combine both a public garden and the archaeological site with remnants of a Bronze Age settlement (2,500-2,000 BC), which was excavated and restored in 1995. It is the source of some of the richest finds in the area, many of which are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Hili is near Fossil Valley, an area rich in a variety of fossils dating back many thousands of years to when it was covered by sea.
 
AL QATTARA SOUQ - 125km to go
Dating back to the mid-20th century and founded by the late Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the palm-lined road linking Al Ain’s Al Qattara and Al Jimi oases, the historic Souq Al Qattara has been renovated and re-opened. A traditional handicrafts market takes place here every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from October to May, encouraging local families to preserve and promote Abu Dhabi’s heritage through an active involvement in traditional craft production. The Souq is linked to the redeveloped Al Qattara Fort, now home to a popular arts centre, featuring hundreds of modern exhibits, workshops, a cafe and a library.
 
SHEIKH HAZZA BIN ZAYED STADIUM - 120km to go
The home of Al Ain FC, this 25,000-seat stadium is one of Al Ain’s tallest buildings and a recognisable landmark. The outer façade design is inspired by a palm trunk, an integral part of the UAE's heritage and culture. The stadium is part of a wider project, constructed in phases, which will ultimately include residential, commercial and entertainment areas, as well as a luxury hotel and sports facilities.  

STRATA MANUFACTURING PJSC (STRATA) - 110km to go
Strata Manufacturing PJSC (STRATA) is a composite aero-structures manufacturing facility based in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Established in 2009, with production beginning in 2010, Strata has partnerships with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. Strata is wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company PJSC (Mubadala), the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company. Strata is committed to Abu Dhabi’s ambition to encourage all citizens to lead a healthier lifestyle.

GREEN MUBAZZARAH - 15km to go
Green Mubazzarah is a hot springs park at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet and was inaugurated in 2004. You find grass fields, rivers, artificial lakes, hot springs and chalets. It looks like a Swiss village not far from Geneva that made a lasting impression on the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, during a vacation.
 
JEBEL HAFEET - Finish
Rising 1,240 metres, Jebel Hafeet is the emirate’s highest peak, and the UAE’s second. This towering rocky mountain, which stands guard over Al Ain and borders Oman, is forged out of craggy limestone that has been weathered over millions of years. Significant fossil discoveries have been made in the area, which are vital pieces in the jigsaw of the city’s ancient history. Over 500 ancient burial tombs dating back 5,000 years have been found in the Jebel Hafeet foothills. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views over Al Ain.
 


TV COVERAGE
The 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour is being shown in 177 countries, across all five continents; 13 TV networks are broadcasting the race, seven of them live.
Abu Dhabi Sports, host broadcaster of the event, is producing and showing the full coverage of each stage, from the first turn of the pedals to the finish line victories, in the United Arab Emirates and across the whole Middle East and North Africa region.
Eurosport is broadcasting the event live on its European and Asia Pacific channels, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Live coverage is also available to cycling audiences in Italy (on the free-to-air channel Rai Sport 1), China (thanks to LETV), Japan (on the new platform DAZN), New Zealand (on Sky Sports network), Mexico and Central America (thanks to TDN).
Highlights of the race are being offered by ESPN all across South America and the Caribbean, by Fox Sports in Australia, by True Visions in Thailand and by FPT Telecom in Vietnam. Next month, highlights will also be available on Cycling TV.
The press agency SNTV is distributing the event news via its international circuits.

#RideToAbuDhabi

MARK CAVENDISH WINS STAGE 2, NATION TOWERS STAGE,
OF THE ABU DHABI TOUR AND TAKES THE RED JERSEY

Abu Dhabi, 21 October 2016 – The British rider Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) won Stage 2 - the Nation Towers Stage - of the Abu Dhabi Tour, Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi (Al Marina - 115km). The race's Official Ambassador also took the lead in the overall General Classification.

STAGE RESULT
1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 115km in 2h32’21”, average speed 45.290km/h
2 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
3 - Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) s.t.

JERSEYS

• RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
• GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
• WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling)
• BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the winner Mark Cavendish said: "I'm happy with that. We wanted to win today. I felt good. It was a very chaotic sprint in which I lost my lead out in the second last corner. I thought 'that's it', but we got back on. I followed Giant. I didn't want to go down, I had to brake at some stage. I was happy to be behind Sky in the last corner and pass them. It was incredible to pass through all the iconic sites of Abu Dhabi. It was impressive to see the buildings, the Grande Mosque, and the towers, and to finish in Al Marina".

Press conference interviews and further details to follow.



TOMORROW'S STAGE: Stage 3 – STRATA STAGE / AL AIN – JEBEL HAFEET (150KM)
The third 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 1025m, following an 11km climb featuring slopes with an 11% gradient.

Last km
The final climb is on wide-ranging bends on a three-lane roadway. The gradient is mostly around 8-9% with a peak of 11% at 3km to go. There are short descents in the last kilometres before the final ramp with a straight finish on asphalt.



#RideToAbuDhabi

مرحباً (MARHABAN!) FROM STAGE 2 OF THE ABU DHABI TOUR

Giacomo Nizzolo, the Red Jersey, on the top of Nation Towers (credit @BettiniPhoto)

Abu Dhabi, 21 October 2016 – Ù…رحباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 2 of the Abu Dhabi Tour (20-23 October 2016), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council with the collaboration of RCS Sport. Starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi after 115km, the route will lead, via two intermediate sprints, to the fantastic finish in Al Marina.

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 peloton, 106 riders strong, passed km 0 at 14.13.

DOWNLOAD

• Classifications
• Abu Dhabi Tour official roadbook
• Abu Dhabi Tour route details

STAGE AND TIMINGS
Stage 2 – Nation Towers Stage (115km)
From Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi (Al Marina)
Finish: Approx. 5.00pm
Race Headquarters: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Nation Towers, Corniche Abu Dhabi (UAE)

JERSEYS

• RED JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) 
• GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo); jersey will be worn by John Degenkolb (Team Giant - Alpecin)
• WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling)
• BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo)
2 - John Degenkolb (Team Giant - Alpecin) at 4"
3 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) at 6"

ROUTE
The second stage is mostly in the city. After the start, the peloton will travel on wide roads towards the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and then towards Yas Island with a passage through Khalifa City, where there are several roundabouts and speed humps. After the Yas Island first Intermediate Sprint, the race goes to the Sheikh Zayed bin Highway towards Abu Dhabi Corniche. It follows a route within Reem Island – including the second Intermediate Sprint – then returns to the Corniche finish line. The entire route is on wide boulevards with road furniture constantly dividing the lanes.

Last km
The final 5km are on increasingly large roads with large semi-curves leading to the straight finish on asphalt.



POINTS OF INTEREST
NATION TOWERS - 115km to go
Nation Towers is a luxury complex comprising two towers that have world class facilities including The St. Regis Abu Dhabi hotel, loft apartments, office space, retail, cinemas, recreational amenities, a beach club and ample parking for residents and visitors.

ST. REGIS HOTEL - 115km to go
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi soars to new heights of splendour and service beyond expectation: in the vibrant heart of Abu Dhabi, it's the finest address in the city. Each of the hotel’s 283 rooms revels in a magnificent view of the alluring Abu Dhabi Corniche. The Abu Dhabi Suite, high on the skybridge between the two Nation Towers has an astonishing 360 degrees view. The signature St. Regis Butler Service is complimentary for every room in the hotel. Remède Spa in Abu Dhabi creates a sanctuary for guests and an experience which borders on mystical.
 
EMIRATES PALACE - 115km to go
A real iconic Abu Dhabi landmark. During daytime, the hotel’s golden-sandy colour contrasts with its fresh green gardens, silvery water fountains and the blue sky. At night, the hotel’s lighting changes subtly, featuring a majestic rainbow-changing effect over the main dome. The main Palace building stretches over a kilometre from wing to wing, and its gardens and surroundings spread across 100 hectares. The hotel features 114 domes, with the central dome at an imposing 72.6m above ground.
 
ZAYED SPORT CITY - 106km to go
This giant sports complex is home to everything from basketball and beach volleyball facilities to tennis courts, a football stadium and a fitness centre. It also has a bowling alley and an ice rink open to visitors. The ZSC’s International Tennis Centre – with six training courts and a centre court with a spectator capacity of 5,000 – hosts the annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

ADNEC - 105km to go
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre is the largest exhibition centre in the Middle East with a total space of 133,000m². It was opened by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates in 2007. ADNEC is owned by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and last summer hosted the very first Abu Dhabi Sports Festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC).

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE - 96km to go
This architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried at the site. Reflective pools surround the mosque, amplifying its beauty: the striking white and gold colours shining in the sun are transformed at night by a unique lightning system which reflects the phases of the moon.

AL RAHA HOTEL - 67km to go
Set in landscaped gardens along a stretch of white sandy beach, this five-star hotel is on the Al Raha Corniche. It has rooms and suites including a brand new, luxuriously furnished wing. There are also 24 exclusive, seafront villas which have a choice of 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, adjacent to the main hotel.

ALDAR HQ - 65km to go
The world’s first round skyscraper, Aldar HQ stands on a raised peninsula and offers stunning views over the city and the coast. At 110m high with 23 floors and it’s considered as one of the world’s most beautiful company offices. (Aldar is an investment company operating in the real estate sector with its HQ in Abu Dhabi. It has implemented the entire Yas Island project).

ETIHAD AIRWAYS HQ - 64km to go
Etihad Airways has its head office and training center in Khalifa City, near Abu Dhabi International Airport.

MASDAR - 62km to go
Masdar is the Emirate’s pioneering vision of a city of the future. With the goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable eco-city, Masdar is leading the way by developing a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste. The city combines ancient Arabic architectural techniques with modern technology and is built around a huge central Arabic wind tunnel that channels a cooling breeze through the streets and alleys making it comfortable to stroll around even during high summer temperatures. More than a thousand people live and work at Masdar City, which sprawls around the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology – a research university dedicated to cutting-edge solutions in the fields of energy and sustainability.

YAS ISLAND - 60km to go
As an emerging leisure destination only 30 minutes from the UAE capital, Yas Island features the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit that plays host to the Formula1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix every year, as well as theme parks, exclusive hotels and golf courses.
 
YAS WATERWORLD - 55km to go
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is inspired by the UAE’s rich heritage of pearl diving through its unique story of ‘The Legend of the Lost Pearl’. The UAE’s first mega waterpark is home to 45 exhilarating rides, slides and attractions – five of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Top attractions are Dawwama – the world’s first hydro-magnetic tornado waterslide, as well as the globe’s first interactive water and laser rollercoaster, Bandit Bomber.
 
FERRARI WORLD, ABU DHABI - 55km to go
The world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park is home to a winning mix of Ferrari inspired rides and attractions, the biggest Ferrari Store and a range of authentic Italian dining options. Attractions include the highest rollercoaster loop in the world (Flying Aces) and the world’s fastest rollercoaster (Formula Rossa) with a top speed of 250kmph achieved in a mere 4.9 seconds.

YAS MALL - 53km to go
With a surface of 235,000m² and 10,000 parking places, the Yas Mall is the largest mall in Abu Dhabi and the second largest in the Emirates. With over 60 restaurants and coffee shops, Yas Mall also features a 4D movie hall, the super maxiscreen of the VOX movie theatre and, among other things, the first Lego Concept Store in the region.
 
SAADIYAT ISLAND - 35km to go
Just seven minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the 27km² Saadiyat Island is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a world class leisure, residential, business and cultural hub of global proportions, housing the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural assets. These will include the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi - all designed by Pritzker prize winners.

LOUVRE ABU DHABI - 35km to go
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is part of the tourist and cultural development for Saadiyat Island, a complex which is planned to host three further museums, including a Guggenheim Museum and the Zayed National Museum. The Louvre Abu Dhabi will welcome visitors in 2017 and its opening date is expected to be announced soon.
 
MANARAT AL SAADIYAT - 35km to go
Manarat Al Saadiyat (in Arabic literally means 'a place of enlightenment') is a 15,400m² arts and culture centre, designed to bring the vision of the island to life through The Saadiyat Story. The venue also features four gallery spaces. The main galleries of Manarat Al Saadiyat constitute of permanent spaces for a series of exhibitions and educational programmes organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.



UAE PAVILION - 35km
 to go
Moved piece by piece from Shanghai, where it welcomed almost two million visitors to the UAE’s national exhibition during the World Expo 2010, the UAE Pavilion is emerging as a new landmark exhibition and events venue. Hosting some of the country’s most important cultural functions, the striking dune-shaped structure was designed by London’s acclaimed Foster and Partners.

SADIYAAT BEACH - 33km to go
Set on the island’s serene natural shores, the 400m beach is a great spot for a day out, and to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s clean, warm turquoise waters. There are lounge chairs, showers, bathrooms, lockers, changing rooms, towels, umbrellas, ample parking and lifeguards are on duty throughout the day. There’s a snack lounge and shop selling beachwear and sports equipment, while areas on the beach can also be booked for special events.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - 30km to go
NYU Abu Dhabi is a research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science college in the Marina district of Saadiyat Island. It draws students from around the world, and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world. Together with New York University in New York City and New York University Shanghai, the portal campus is part of NYU’s Global Network University.

AL MARYAH ISLAND - 22km to go
Al Maryah Island is a 114 hectare mixed-use development, and the capital’s International Financial Center. Following the issuance of Federal Decree in February 2013 and located on Al Maryah Island, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) was established as a financial free zone. Situated at the midpoint between Abu Dhabi’s existing downtown district, Reem Island and the new cultural district on Saadiyat Island, Al Maryah Island is comprised of commercial, hotel, retail, leisure, healthcare, and residential components. The most famous is the luxury shopping mall The Galleria. Boasting landmark architecture and a state-of-the-art, multi-tiered transport infrastructure, Al Maryah Island is establishing itself as a lively 24-hour urban hub at the heart of the city.

AL REEM ISLAND - 20km to go
In Al Reem Island, a residential and commercial district off the Abu Dhabi coast, you can see one of the architectural symbols of the Emirates: the Gate Towers, a complex of interlinked towers reminiscent of Stonehenge. The Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is located in the centre of the Island. Characterized by a grand central dome, the Emirate seat of the Parisian university is the first French high-education institution that was inaugurated in the Gulf as well as the first international university campus.
 
ABU DHABI CORNICHE - 10km to go
The Corniche Road spreads across an impressive 8km of manicured waterfront that includes children’s play areas, separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, cafés and restaurants, and the Corniche Beach - a lifeguarded beach park where the sea has been awarded the International Blue Flag.

ADNOC HQ - 2km to go
The ADNOC HQ is hosted in a skyscraper on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The building incorporates energy efficiency and sustainable engineering technologies, such as a double skin façade, photovoltaic glazing and LED exterior lighting. Designed by HOK, the overall building complex consists of more than 65 floors with an office tower, Corniche Club, SPC and Crisis Management Centre, a heritage museum and other supporting facilities.
 
ETIHAD TOWERS - 2km to go
This five tower complex invites residents and visitors to live, work, stay, shop and dine in one destination with panoramic city and Arabian Gulf views. The complex also includes three residential towers and the 280m high, five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel. The Avenue at Etihad Towers is one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive collections of boutique shops, with many having luxurious private rooms for VIP shopping.
 
BIG FLAG - Finish
A 122m pennon (Guinness World Record in 2001) holds an imposing flag of impressive size (20m x 40m). It was inaugurated to celebrate the country’s 30th anniversary.



TV COVERAGE
The 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour is being shown in 177 countries, across all five continents; 13 TV networks are broadcasting the race, seven of them live.
Abu Dhabi Sports, host broadcaster of the event, is producing and showing the full coverage of each stage, from the first turn of the pedals to the finish line victories, in the United Arab Emirates and across the whole Middle East and North Africa region.
Eurosport is broadcasting the event live on its European and Asia Pacific channels, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Live coverage is also available to cycling audiences in Italy (on the free-to-air channel Rai Sport 1), China (thanks to LETV), Japan (on the new platform DAZN), New Zealand (on Sky Sports network), Mexico and Central America (thanks to TDN).
Highlights of the race are being offered by ESPN all across South America and the Caribbean, by Fox Sports in Australia, by True Visions in Thailand and by FPT Telecom in Vietnam. Next month, highlights will also be available on Cycling TV.
The press agency SNTV is distributing the event news via its international circuits.



#RideToAbuDhabi