A change in format to the UAE’s cycling events has seen the launch of the new UAE Tour, which is set to take place in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
As excitement builds, the new logo and trophy were unveiled to fans this week. Weighing a whopping 5.5kg, the new heptagonal prize is 24kt gold-plated and bears the names of all nine winners of both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tours on the back. The new UAE Tour logo, which shows the Tour name written in red and green, is also heptagon-shaped in reference to the United Arab Emirates involved in the event; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Quwain.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary, said: “The logo represents the unity between the seven Emirates and the trophy is reminiscent of the same concept. The new race is a big opportunity for cycling here, we know it and we’re working to be ready to be under the world’s spotlights at the end of February.”
New event: The UAE Tour is the regions biggest cycling challenge
Following the merger of the individual Dubai Tour and Abu Dhabi Tour, the new look challenge sees four stages included in both Emirates with the Dubai leg being held at the Al Qudra cycle path and around Hatta and the surroundings mountains of Hajar. In Abu Dhabi, the Jebel Hafeet stage is confirmed, while the second location, Al Hudayriat Island is new to the event.
Speaking at the launch event this week Mr. Osama Al Shafar, President of the UAE Cycling Federation, said: “Since the very first edition both the Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Tour got positive feedback from the global cycling community. Great riders attended the tours, with amazing coverage from television and other media. Also locally, the feedback was great: thanks to the two races, many facilities for amateurs have been developed across the UAE and the global exposure has made everybody more ambitious. The decision to join forces was agreed in a very special year for the UAE – 2018 is the Year of Zayed – and guaranteed two more stages. We can’t wait to see a week-long competition among all the Emirates.”
The UAE Tour is scheduled for 24 February to 2 March 2019.