مرØباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 5 of the fourth edition of the Dubai Tour
Dubai, 4 February 2017 – مرØباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 5, the Meraas Stage, the final chapter of the fourth edition of the Dubai Tour (31 January - 4 February 2017), organised by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sports and Events. This final stage around the city will include all the iconic buildings and areas of the metropolis, finishing in the Dubai City Walk after 124km.
During the stage, 35 Red Jersey Points (of a race total of 170), 10 UAE Flag Jersey Points (of a race total of 55), and 16 seconds in time bonuses are up for grabs.
The ceremonial roll out started at 12.20pm. After crossing the 6,100m neutralised zone, the peloton of 122 riders passed km 0 at 12.35pm.
WEATHER
Dubai (12.30): Clear skies, 19°C. Wind: weak – 10kph, SE.
Dubai (15.10): Clear skies, 20°C. Wind: weak – 15kph, NW.
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STAGE AND TIMINGS
Stage 5 – Meraas Stage (124km)
From Dubai to Dubai City Walk
Finish: Approx. 15.10
Race Headquarters: DIMC - Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi, Al Sofouh Road, Al Seyahi Street, Dubai, U.A.E.
JERSEYS
- The Blue Jersey, sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Dubai (General individual classification by time) - Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors)
- The Red Jersey, sponsored by Emirates (General individual classification by points) - Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) - the Red Jersey is worn today by John Degenkolb (Trek - Segafredo), second in the General individual classification by points after Marcel Kittel (Blue Jersey)
- The White Jersey, sponsored by RTA - Roads and Transport Authority (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1992) - Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo)
- The UAE Flag Jersey, sponsored by DHA - Dubai Health Authority (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) - Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF)
ROUTE
The final stage is a classic, weaving its way through the Old and New Towns. It starts in the direction of the great Meydan Racecourse before reaching and crossing Mushrif Park and then heads to the beaches of Al Mamzar (first Intermediate Sprint). The stage then runs through Deira, Al Maktoum Bridge and the entire Old Town, almost to Port Rashid, and from there enters Jumeirah Road past the large Union Flag (another Intermediate Sprint). After the turning point in Burj Al Arab, the stage re-enters Jumeirah Road and runs until City Walk, the site of the finish line.
Last kilometres
8km before the finish, the course diverts from Jumeirah Road and heads towards the final bend, with just 500m to the finish, in City Walk. The finish line is set on a 8.5m-wide interlocking slab pavement.
POINTS OF INTEREST
124 KM TO FINISH LINE - DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MARINE CLUB - MINA SEYAHI - DIMC
Dubai International Marine Club was established in 1988 in Mina Seyahi by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum to safeguard traditional watersports and promote Dubai both nationally and internationally. It is located in a prime area in the city, which has developed around the club over the years, and it now sits in the heart of new Dubai with its numerous hotels and restaurants. With its 300-berth marina, helipad, sailing school, race department, offices and venue facilities DIMC hosts more than 50 events each year in various classes including a full programme of traditional events.
124KM TO FINISH LINE - DUBAI TOUR FAN VILLAGE
The Dubai Tour Fan Village at DIMC – Dubai International Marine Club is a free access area where visitors can feel and live the race atmosphere. From 9.30am to 3.30pm the fans are invited to watch all the pre-race procedures and enjoy all the fun activities. All riders will sign in at a special podium and will be interviewed and photographed by the media. During this period, fans can ask the riders for signatures and “selfies” and there will be a special jerseys and trophy parade – all with live background music and an English-speaking commentator. Next to the podium area there will be the paddock zone with the sponsors’ and partners’ stands. The show will last all day and fans are guaranteed to be entertained by displays from the former BikeTrial World Champion and multiple Guinness World Record holder Vittorio Brumotti and other performers.
106KM TO FINISH LINE - MEYDAN RACECOURSE
Previously known as Nad al Sheb, Meydan Racecourse is a horse racing facility accommodating over 60,000 spectators in a 1-mile long grandstand. Racing season starts in November and reaches its peak in March with the elite Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, with a dizzying US $10 million prize. The Meydan Group has a complete range of commercial developments, hospitality, sports, entertainment and amusement services, a series of state-of-the-art business parks, residential villa communities, schools, hospitals, business towers with luxury waterfront developments and shopping destinations.
81KM TO FINISH LINE - MUSHRIF PARK
Mushrif Park lies in a sheltered dip amongst rolling sand desert. It’s an arti cial desert like park of 5.25m2 (1,300 acres) with many family entertainment activities. The park’s facilities include swimming pools, fountains, lakes, and children’s play areas, as well as train, camel and pony rides. A special feature is the International Garden Area exhibiting miniature houses from di erent countries.
50KM TO FINISH LINE - AL MAMZAR BEACH PARK
A recreational area in an exquisite park on the beach, where people can enjoy barbecue sites, chalets, swimming pools and playgrounds for children, set in a total area of 106 hectares.
39KM TO FINISH LINE - DUBAI CREEK
Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek, cutting through the heart of Dubai. The seawater Dubai Creek winds its way from the trading port on the Gulf to the Ras al Khor bird sanctuary on the desert edge of Dubai. In the past it was the centre of the shing and pearling industry, which formed the main sectors of the city’s economy. Nowadays the eastern and western banks are connected by one tunnel and four bridges, but the traditional form of transport on the creek, which is still available, were ferry boats.
38KM TO FINISH LINE - BUSINESS BAY CROSSING
One of the bridges across Dubai Creek, the Business Bay Crossing travels from Deira to Bur Dubai. It is a corridor to Dubai Festival City and the Culture Village, currently under construction.
34KM TO FINISH LINE - DUBAI MUSEUM
Al Fahidi Fort which houses Dubai Museum was built around 1787 and once guarded the landward approaches to the town. It is the oldest existing building in Dubai and was built of coral rock. The Dubai Museum was opened in 1971 to preserve and exhibit the traditional way of life in Dubai. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Rab houses, mosques, Souks and date farms, along with the desert and marine life.
25KM TO FINISH LINE - ETIHAD MUSEUM
The Etihad Museum focuses on inspiring its visitors with the story of the founding of the UAE. Opened on 7 January 2017, the 25,000 square metre landmark is befittingly located at the very place where the UAE was founded in 1971. The various pavilions house experience-driven exhibitions, interactive programmes and education initiatives that explore the chronology of events that culminated in the unification of the Emirates, with emphasis on the period from 1968 to 1974. The programmes also aim to educate visitors about the nation’s constitution; in particular the rights, privileges and responsibilities that it bestows upon the people of the UAE.
27KM TO FINISH LINE - THE UNION HOUSE FLAG
As part of the museum initiative, the original Union House where leaders signed the treaty establishing the country was restored, and the famous flagpole at the end of 2nd of December Street was replaced with a slightly taller 123m pole. It stands tall as a powerful symbol of the UAE unity, an iconic attraction and a landmark in Modern Dubai.
20KM TO FINISH LINE - DUBAI WATER CANAL
Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2km artificial canal inaugurated in November 2016. Its 6.4km waterfront comprises one shopping centre, four hotels, restaurants, luxury housing, walkways and 12km of cycle paths. The canal runs from Business Bay into the Arabian Gulf through Safa Park and Jumeirah.
14KM TO FINISH LINE - BURJ AL ARAB
Burj Al Arab, at 321m (1,053ft) is the fourth tallest hotel in the world and one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks. Opened in December 1999, the luxury hotel stands on an artificial island and its shape mimics the sail of a ship. To advertise the local Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, the hotel used to convert its helipad into a green-roofed tennis court situated 211m high on a surface area of 415m2. The iconic first exhibition was a friendly match between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi in 2005.
3KM TO FINISH LINE - BOXPARK
BoxPark is a destination by Meraas contributing to Dubai’s high street retail, outdoor dining and entertainment proposition. Offering distinctive retail experiences and quirky dining options in a hip and modern setting, the destination spans 1.2 kilometers and is located on Al Wasl Road. BoxPark is inspired by urban renewal projects, combining the finest in contemporary architecture with the aesthetics of warehouse containers. An industrial character dominates the project’s design across all its aspects, including the fixtures and open spaces.
BoxPark seeks to debut local and international concepts in its stores comprising of world-class retail, restaurants, cafes and entertainment brands. The destination currently hosts 44 stores and serves as a go-to space for artists and entertainers.
1KM TO FINISH LINE - BURJ KHALIFA
Burj Khalifa, by Emaar Properties, is the tallest skyscraper in the World, standing at 829.8m (2,722ft). Construction began in 2004 and this landmark was officially opened on the 4th of January 2010. The design of Burj Khalifa incorporates cultural and historical elements particular to the region such as the spiral minaret. Made of aluminum, stainless steel and more than 26,000 glass panels, part of a reflective glazing system designed to withstand Dubai’s extreme summer temperatures (the outside temperature at the top of the building is thought to be 6°C/11°F cooler than at its base). On the 124th floor terrace lies a touristic observation deck named “At the Top”; it is equipped by augmented reality telescopes which enable visitors to view the surrounding landscape.
FINISH LINE - CITY WALK
City Walk is an urban living destination in Dubai by Meraas, spanning an area of more than 10 million square feet. A family-friendly hub that seamlessly combines living, shopping, entertainment, hospitality, and wellness options within one integrated space, CITY WALK offers visitors a unique sense of community and comfort. Whether it is to live, meet, socialise or shop, dine and spend quality time with loved ones in a serene and sophisticated ambience, CITY WALK has emerged as the preferred choice for residents and tourists.
Designed to evolve as a city within a city that is easily accessible and offers a multitude of residences, retail and leisure choices at one location, in the city of Dubai, CITY WALK is nestled in a prestigious neighborhood on Al Safa Street in close proximity to the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road and the sophisticated Jumeirah Beach Road.
Quick facts:
- Total of 10 million sq. ft.
- 34 residential buildings
- 1 million sq. ft. of retail
- Over 300 retail and F&B outlets
- 6 leisure and entertainment attractions – Hub Zero, The Green Planet, Mattel Play! Town, Roxy Cinemas, Hareem Al Sultan, Dubai Walls.
2017 DUBAI TOUR TV COVERAGE
The 2017 Dubai Tour will be shown in 182 countries, across all five continents: another great step forward compared to the last edition. Twelve TV networks will broadcast the race live.
Dubai Sports, host broadcaster of the event, will produce and offer its audience the full coverage of each stage – from the first pedal turn to the final sprint – in the United Arab Emirates and across the Middle East and North Africa region with both Arabic and English commentary. Special studio shows before and after each stage, with international cycling experts, will enrich the domestic coverage.
Eurosport will broadcast the race live on its European and Asia Pacific networks, covering almost 70 countries. In France l’Equipe will broadcast the event exclusively on its free-to-air channel.
The ESPN network will show pictures from Dubai Tour in 35 territories throughout all Spanish-speaking South America, Brazil and the Caribbean, while TDN holds exclusive rights for Mexico and Central America. North American cycling fans will be offered live coverage in both the USA and Canada on fuboTV; on the other side of Pacific Ocean, the event will be broadcast in Japan thanks to the live sports streaming platform DAZN. To complete the global framework, Kwese Sports will bring the Dubai Tour live in all Sub-Saharan Africa except for South Africa, which is covered by Supersport.
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For further information:
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