The Abu Dhabi Tour returns next month — from February 21-25 — with a new and improved route that will guarantee excitement until the dying moments, with a time trial added the day before the grand finale atop Jebel Hafeet.

The fourth edition of the capital showpiece — the only WorldTour event taking place in the Middle East — will have an extra day, with a time trial introduced to make the Abu Dhabi Tour a five-stage race for the first time.

The time trial will take place on day four of the event on Al Maryah Island, with the mountain stage that takes the riders to Al Ain and up Jebel Hafeet now placed at the end of the race to make sure the climbers and puncheurs can fight for the General Classification jersey at the culmination of the five-day cycling extravaganza.

A stellar line-up has been confirmed for this fourth edition, with Abu Dhabi Tour ambassador Mark Cavendish joined by the likes of current Giro d’Italia champion Dutchman Tom Dumoulin from Team Sunweb, Vuelta a Espana winner Italian Fabio Aru and 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour winner Rui Costa both from UAE Team Emirates.

A total of 17 of the 18 WorldTour teams are set to start, with cyclists representing over 50 different nationalities.

“Last season was horrible for me. I had a lot of health problems, but the one win I got was here in Abu Dhabi – a very special place for me and in certain terms, a second home for me and for my family too,” said Cavendish, who attended the unveiling of the new route in the UAE capital on Tuesday.

“Last year, I was very proud to wear the Red Jersey as leader at the end of stage one and two, and win the final Green Jersey for the second year consecutively. I hope to repeat that success in 2018 and to be on the final podium again.”

The Abu Dhabi Tour is organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with RCS Sport.

“We’re working to make the race more appealing to fans and riders, and this upgrade represents a unique opportunity to make the challenge for the overall standings stronger and not only related to the mountain stage,” said Aref Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council secretary general.

Here’s a look at the Abu Dhabi Tour’s five stages…

STAGE 1 – Wednesday February 21 – Al Dhafra stage (189km)

The opening stage follows its traditional route, starting and finishing in Madinat Zayed, and running entirely through the Abu Dhabi desert.

STAGE 2 – Thursday February 22 – Yas Island stage (154km)

The stage will start at Yas Mall before taking the riders through Al Bahia and the Khalifa Port.

STAGE 3 – Friday February 23 – Nation Towers stage (133km)

A tour of the capital, featuring as many landmarks as possible and the probable bunch sprint will take place on Al Marina, close to the Big Flag.

STAGE 4 – Saturday February 24- Al Maryah Island stage (11.8km)

Taking place on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination, stage four is the very first time trial to ever be included on the Abu Dhabi Tour agenda. It’s a simple route, with just two bends and a single U-turn, setting up an extremely fast and spectacular stage.

STAGE 5 – Sunday February 25 – Al Ain Stage (199km)

The grand finale delivers the mountain stage ending atop Jebel Hafeet. The climbers and puncheurs will fight for the general classification jersey with an uphill finish at an altitude of 1,025m.