مرØباً (MARHABAN!) FROM STAGE 3 OF THE ABU DHABI TOUR
Abu Dhabi Tour jerseys in front of Qasr Al Muwaiji, today's start location,
birthplace of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Al Ain, 22 October 2016 – مرØباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 3, the Strata Stage, of the Abu Dhabi Tour (20-23 October 2016), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council with the collaboration of RCS Sport. Starting from 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 after 150km.
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, 105 riders strong, passed km 0 at 13.1. Did not start: dossard number 51, Greipel.
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WEATHER
Al Ain, 2.00pm: sunny, 35°C. Wind: 16km/h, NNW.
Jebel Hafeet, 5:00pm: sunny, 32°C. Wind: 17km/h, NW.
STAGE AND TIMINGS
Stage 3 – Strata Stage (150km)
From Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet
Finish: Approx. 5.00pm
Race Headquarters: Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain (UAE)
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); jersey will be worn by Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo)
- 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 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
2 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) at 4"
3 - Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange) at 5"
ROUTE
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.
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.
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