2016 ABU DHABI TOUR TOP RIDERS' PRESS CONFERENCE
Riders’ biographies and quotes. Download stunning pictures from the UAE's capital.
Abu Dhabi, 19 October 2016 – The press conference was opened by the Official Abu Dhabi Tour Ambassador, Mark Cavendish. In attendance alongside the Manxman were Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali (Italy), seven time overall Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador (Spain), the duo of puncheurs John Degenkolb (Germany) and Michael Matthews (Australia), sprinter André Greipel (Germany), Rio 2016 gold medalists Elia Viviani (Omnium) from Italy and Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet (Individual Road Race), Costa Rican rider Andrey Amador and local hero Yousif Mirza, the highest profile rider in the UAE.
Before the press conference, the attending riders took time to [...]
data: 23/10/2016 - partenza: YAS MARINA CIRCUIT - arrivo: YAS MARINA CIRCUIT - lunghezza: 143 km - dislivello: m
TANEL KANGERT OPENS HIS RECORD BOOK AT SECOND ABU DHABI TOUR Mark Cavendish doubles up stage victories on the YAS Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit, 23 October 2016 –Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) proved once again his undisputed winning spirit as he claimed a second stage win and the green points jersey at the last road race of his 2016 season on the YAS Marina Circuit of Abu Dhabi. He outsprinted stage 1 winner Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek – Segafredo) and his arch-rival Elia Viviani (Team Sky) who had beaten him in the Omnium track race at the Rio Olympics. The Official Race Ambassador stole the show in style after catching escapees Michal Paloto (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), Frederik Frison (Lotto-Soudal), Kristian House (One Pro Cycling), Sergey Firsanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) and Yauheni Sobal (Minsk Cycling Club) while race leader Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) finished safely in the bunch to take the first stage race victory of his career.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) 2 - Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) at 21" 3 - Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) at 43"
4 - Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at 1'00"
5 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) s.t.
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Julien Bernard (Trek - Segafredo)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)
STAGE RESULT 1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 143km in 3h07’44”, average speed 45.703km/h 2 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek - Segafredo) s.t. 3 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
QUOTES
In the press conference, the Abu Dhabi Tour winner, Tanel Kangert, said: "I have to say I was a little bit nervous before but better have some nerves than nothing at all. I was not stressing too much though because it was flat with no side wind to make it dangerous. I was excited to race but nervous to wear the jersey. I’m delighted to win the overall ranking. Entering the WorldTour, the level of the Abu Dhabi Tour will be even higher. It’s a race for sprinters but GC gets decided in one climb. I’m yet to study my race program for next but if I’m fit enough in February, I’d love to come back and defend my title".
The stage winner and Green Jersey winner, Mark Cavendish, said: "I’m very happy with winning a second stage at the Abu Dhabi Tour, especially with such tremendous settings. It’s a special way to cap off the whole season. My Dimension Data team mates did an incredible job. All day they controlled the break, with Astana. I got a perfect lead out. I just did the final. I’m super happy today to add the Nations Tower green jersey to these two stage wins. Racing on a circuit is always difficult. Mentally it’s different when you do the same thing 26 times. I got the feeling of racing a Moto GP. The atmosphere for the spectators was another story, rather than waiting for two days for seeing twenty seconds of racing".
After the race, second classified overall Nicolas Roche said: "I’m happy with my result and the season being over. At this stage in the season 2016, every race is important. I’m happy to have performed in my last week with the team and my last week of racing in the year. It’s good to finish on a high note in preparation for the winter".
Third classified in General Classification, Diego Ulissi, said: "I’ve had a great season with six victories and a very consistent showing all year round. To cap it off with a podium finish here is a real satisfaction. It’s only the second year of the Abu Dhabi Tour but the event is already very prestigious. I’m glad to be part of the honour roll".
White Jersey winner, Julien Bernard, said: "It’s not been an easy day despite what people may have thought. We were riding fast all evening so we had to remain focused all the time and maintain a good position in order to spend the least possible energy. Everyone was kind of at the limit but I managed to avoid splits. Our sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo got the best result we could hope for with a second place behind Cavendish. We leave Abu Dhabi with a stage win, two podiums and a distinctive jersey, we couldn’t hope for more".
Black Jersey winner, Jens Keukeleire, said: "There’s nothing to complain about in the organization of the Abu Dhabi Tour. I’m very happy with this race. I rode away the first two days. Initially, the aim was to win a stage but I got the black jersey and the second day was all about trying to defend it. I succeeded and I’m happy to be here with the black jersey".
Abu Dhabi Tour #4: Perfect leadout delivers Cavendish to victory
Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka end incredible 2016 season with victory
The final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour brought our 2016 season to a close and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka couldn't have asked for a better ending as Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory, thanks to a perfect leadout by our African Team.
The final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour took place under the lights of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi this evening. The peloton lined up for 26 laps of the flat 5.5km circuit, with a sprint finale on everyone's mind. Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka were fully concentrated on delivering Mark Cavendish to what would be our 32nd victory of the season and so when a 5-rider break went clear early on, we had no problem helping to control the pace.
Jay Thomson and Mekseb Debesay were rolling through with the Astana Team, who were riding in defence of the overall race lead. This would be the case for around 120km and then our African Team just took full control of proceedings for the final 25km. Thomson and Debesay relayed at the head of affairs to close the 1'15" gap to the lead riders while Cavendish lined up behind his lead out team of Bernie Eisel, Youcef Reguigui and Mark Renshaw. Thomson and Debesay were truly phenomenal, only pulling off of the front with 7km to go when the last of the breakaway riders were brought back into the fold.
Eisel then captained our train as we started the final lap, keeping our Manxman well placed heading into the final few corners. Eisel hit the front with 2km to go and when he was done, Reguigui followed with his maximal effort. Despite a Giant-Alpecin rider slipping into our train before the final corner at 300m to go, it was like poetry in motion watching our African Team perfect the finale. Renshaw led through the last right-hander and when the road opened for Cavendish, there was no stopping the Manx Missle from winning on the home straight. The stage podium was completed by Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and Elia Viviani (Team Sky) respectively.
It was a beautiful stage win to end off what has been a fantastic season for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, made sweeter with Cavendish also winning the Abu Dhabi Tour green points jersey.
Mark Cavendish - Rider The stage was left to Dimension Data to control, none of the other sprint teams wanted to help at all which was quite strange because we have won a stage and they haven't. Nevertheless, we have the two strongest guys in the race to pull on the front in Mekseb and Jay. They just controlled the break incredibly and stayed so long that the leadout could take over easily. They gave us stability at the front and I had Bernie, Youcef and Mark to lead me out in the final 2km and they did an incredible job. It was important to be at the front because there was a lot of wind and a lot of corners. Giant nearly got the jump on us so I thought it would do me a favour if one of them gets in between myself and Mark, so I let him in but he couldn't hold Mark's wheel in the sprint. I was still able to use his slingshot and then Mark's slingshot in front to accelerate in the last 200 meters. I am really happy to have won the stage again. It's another win and good exposure for our sponsors and Qhubeka, so it was really nice to be able to do that.
Team Dimension Data For Qhubeka
Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka was founded in 2007, steadily working its way up from a regional team to now being a World Tour team with bases in South Africa and Italy. It’s also known as Africa’s Team due to its focus on helping African talents to the world stage of cycling. The team races to raise funds for the Qhubeka Charity to mobilise people on bicycles in Africa. To contribute to the #BicyclesChangeLivescampaign, click here.
Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”. Qhubeka (qhubeka.org) is part of World Bicycle Relief (worldbicyclerelief.org), a global non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, health and economic opportunities by providing simple, sustainable transportation through the power of bicycles.
Dimension Data (dimensiondata.com) uses the power of technology to help organisations achieve great things in the digital era. As a member of the NTT Group, we accelerate our clients’ ambitions through digital infrastructure, hybrid cloud, workspaces for tomorrow, and cybersecurity. With a turnover of USD 7.5 billion, offices in 58 countries, and 31,000 employees, we deliver wherever our clients are, at every stage of their technology journey. We’re proud to be the Official Technology Partner of Amaury Sport Organisation, organiser of the Tour de France, and the title partner of the cycling team, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
TANEL KANGERT IS THE WINNER OF 2016 ABU DHABI TOUR
MARK CAVENDISH WINS FINAL STAGE 4, YAS ISLAND STAGE
Yas Marina Circuit, 23 October 2016 –The Estonian rider Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) won the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour. Second in the General Classification is Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) with third Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida), fourth Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) and fifth Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Final Stage 4 - the Yas Island Stage (143km) - has been won by British rider Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data), the race's Official Ambassador, who won the Green Jersey of Points Classification.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 - Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team) 2 - Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) at 21" 3 - Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) at 43"
4 - Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at 1'00"
5 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) s.t.
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Julien Bernard (Trek - Segafredo)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)
STAGE RESULT 1 - Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) 143km in 3h07’44”, average speed 45.703km/h 2 - Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek - Segafredo) s.t. 3 - Elia Viviani (Team Sky) s.t.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the race winner Tanel Kangert said: "I must say it was more difficult that it might look like because the corners were really tight. I was surprised they were so tight for car racing. It made the race special with the lights and the dark. In the end I was pretty tired just keeping the wheels. I can't say there wasn't any pressure because there was, and I felt it. I was excited to race in the leader's jersey. It was my first time leading a professional race. I'm happy everything went well and I might be back soon to defend the title in February".
The stage winner, Mark Cavendish, said: "I'm so happy to be the winner of the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour on the YAS Marina Circuit. There was an incredible atmosphere. I missed the race last year because I was injured and I was really jealous of the boys racing, especially on this last day. It was very fast. My team-mates controlled the group really well the whole day. I got an incredible lead out. Mark Renshaw was very calm going into the finale. I just had to jump".
مرØباً (MARHABAN!) FROM STAGE 4, FINAL STAGE OF THE ABU DHABI TOUR
Yas Marina Circuit, 23 October 2016 – مرØباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 4, Yas Marina stage, the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour (20-23 October 2016), organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council with the collaboration of RCS Sport. The entire stage takes place on the Yas Marina Circuit (143km), with 26 laps of 5.5km, including three richly-rewarded intermediate sprints.
Today's stage offers the final 44 Green Jersey Points (of a race total of 152), the final 24 Black Jersey Points (of a race total of 72) and 19 seconds in time bonuses. In addition, the winner of each intermediate sprint will receive a special prize of €2,000.
The peloton, 102 riders strong, passed km 0 at 17.01. Did not start: dossard number 46, Ravasi.
STAGE AND TIMINGS
Stage 4 – Yas Island Stage (143km)
Entirely raced on Yas Marina Circuit
Finish: Approx. 8.00pm
Race Headquarters: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Nation Towers, Corniche Abu Dhabi (UAE)
JERSEYS
RED JERSEY, sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (General Classification by time) – Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
GREEN JERSEY, sponsored by Nation Towers (General Classification by points) – Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
WHITE JERSEY, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports (Best Young Rider, born after 1 January 1991) – Julien Bernard (Trek - Segafredo)
BLACK JERSEY, sponsored by Etihad (Intermediate Sprint Classification) – Jens Keukeleire (Orica - BikeExchange)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Tanel Kangert (Astana Pro Team)
2 - Nicola Roche (Team Sky) at 21"
3 - Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) at 43"
4 - Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at 1'00"
5 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) s.t.
ROUTE
The final stage is entirely on Yas Island. There are 26 laps on the Yas Marina Circuit, each of 5.5km with three Intermediate Sprints as we count down to the finale. The first Intermediate Sprint is at lap 11, with 15 laps to go; the second at 10 laps to go and the last Intermediate Sprints with just five laps to go. Last year during the Yas Island Stage, for the first time ever in a men's professional road race, live on-board bike camera footage was made available and used for live television race coverage.
Last km
On the perfect tarmac of a 5.5km race circuit with wide roads and large, sweeping bends. The final 250 metres are on straight, flat asphalt.
POINTS OF INTEREST
YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
The circuit is home to the Formula1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and is open to the public with daily events, including Driving Experiences, Passenger Experiences, Private Driving Tuition, and the Race Car Driver License Course. Every week the 5.5km circuit is open to the public for sports activities: the StartYas on Sunday and the TrainYas on Tuesdays, open from 6 to 10pm, encouraging cyclists and runners to use the track as a sports facility.
FERRARI WORLD, ABU DHABI
The world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park is home to a winning mix of Ferrari inspired rides and attractions, the biggest Ferrari Store and a range of authentic Italian dining options. Attractions include the highest rollercoaster loop in the world (Flying Aces) and the world’s fastest rollercoaster (Formula Rossa) with a top speed of 250km/h achieved in a mere 4.9 seconds.
YAS ISLAND
As an emerging leisure destination only 30 minutes from the UAE capital, Yas Island features the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit that plays host to the Formula1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix every year, as well as theme parks, exclusive hotels and golf courses.
YAS VICEROY HOTEL
This unique five-star hotel is set half on land and half on water, overlooking the F1 circuit. The main characteristic of the hotel is its covering, a 219m expanse of sweeping steel and glass panels that provides a veil draped over the two hotel towers, linked by a bridge that crosses the racetrack. The lighting system, made up of over 5,096 diamond-shaped glass panels, changes colour through cable TV screens and creates a stunning optical effect. Inside the Yas Viceroy at the Ristorante Cipriani you can taste the dishes designed by Harry’s Bar in Venice and classic Italian specialties.
Tinkoff team in its last race
YAS MALL
With a surface of 235,000m2 and a range of international brands, the Yas Mall is the largest mall in Abu Dhabi and the second largest in the Emirates. With over 60 restaurants and coffee shops, Yas Mall also features a 4D movie cinema, the super maxiscreen of the VOX movie theatre and, among other things, the first Lego Concept Store in the region.
YAS BEACH
Set on a majestic stretch of white sand, and easily connected to all of the island’s diverse leisure activities, this laid-back beach is a blissful new development on the emirate’s entertainment district. Sun seekers holidaying at any of Yas Island’s seven hotels and hotel apartments can now enjoy complimentary access to Yas Beach.
YAS LINKS
Set among rolling hills and delicate mangrove plantations, Yas Links Abu Dhabi – designed by Kyle Phillips, the world-renowned course architect – is the Middle East’s only true links course. Nestled on the western shores of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s landmark entertainment destination, every daunting, dynamic Yas Links hole has sparkling coastline views of the Arabian Gulf – indeed eight run right up along the coastline.
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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TANEL KANGERT VINCE L'ABU DHABI TOUR 2016, a CAVENDISH la 4a tappa.