Dubai: All eyes will be on Team Astana as they and star rider Vincenzo Nibali head a field of 16 teams confirmed for the second edition of the Dubai Tour from February 4 to 7.
Nibali, one of only two current riders to have won all three grand tours — the Vuelta Espana (2010), Giro d’Italia (2013) and Tour de France (2014) — is among what will be an impressive array of stars opening their 2015 campaign in Dubai.
Organisers Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and RCS confirmed the list of 16 teams of eight riders each, with Nibali’s Team Astana one of the side’s to beat this year. But the Kazakhstan-based team open the campaign under a cloud as they have been placed on probation by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after five of their riders tested positive for banned substances late last year.
Last year in Dubai, Taylor Phinney claimed the General Classification and the first stage time trial, while in the other three stages Marcel Kittel of Team Giant-Shimano (now Giant-Alpecin) held off Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish to win.
With the event now upgraded to UCI category 4, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has stepped in as new sponsor of the race and the general classification leader’s blue jersey.
Of the four stages, at least three are expected to be generally flat with a potential bunch sprint finish. The other will be a hilly stage with medium difficulty climbs and a final tough climb to the finish line.
All stages will begin from the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
“The desire to excel in all things is what pushes us forward and that is one of the main reasons why we have decided to make a few notable changes in the structure of the race,” Race Director Huraiz Bin Huraiz told Gulf News.
“The total race distance has been increased by 60 per cent, from 418km in 2014 to 663km this year. There will be no time-trial stage and, along with this, we will have a hill climb finish for a possible exciting finish, with the Burj Khalifa as the backdrop once again.
“While there will be a lot of attention on Team Astana, there are other top teams including Team Sky, BMC Racing from the US and Etixx-Quick Step, who will be eager to start their season on a winning note.”
