Iaphet Elli  |
| PHOTO CREDIT: ANSA / CARCONI – PERI |
Al Ain
(Al Qattara Souq), 10 October 2015 – مرحباً (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 TIMINGSStage 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)
ROUTEThe 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.
