Officials at Yas Marina Circuit are convinced hosting the Abu Dhabi Tour will help drive more cyclists to the venue in the future, which would raise the level of the sport across the country.
Essentially a home for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit has gradually become a big hit with cycling aficionados in the country as it opens its doors for free, three days every week for the community to cycle around the track.
The circuit has been the main headquarters for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour with the track hosting the entire final stage and the teams stationed at the very same garages that will hold the F1 cars at the Grand Prix next month.
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“We’re proud to host the final stage of Abu Dhabi Tour at Yas
Marina Circuit, which we like to believe is a hub for champions from across different sports,” Yas Marina Circuit CEO Al Tarek Al Ameri said.
“Today is testament to that. It’s not just for Formula One stars and motorsport champions.
“It’s now also a place for cycling champions. Hopefully it’s been a special experience for both the riders and spectators.
“Venturing into new sports helps us engage with more spectators and brings in new fans to our venue, where they can practice their preferred hobbies.
“Cycling has already been very important to us – we’ve increased the number of days open to
the cycling communities here to three days instead of just two and we hope more cyclists come to the circuit in the future.”
Nick McElwee, the sales and marketing director of the circuit, explained how exposing the local community to the highest standard of world cycling can only help the sport develop in the Emirates.
“It’s really good, because as we build our own activities across the week, we’ve now got StartYas on Sunday nights as well as TrainYas on Tuesdays and GoYas for females on Wednesdays,” he said.
“It’s really important to broaden our appeal and we bring in all sorts of sports, all sorts of interest.
“So it’s great to see the pinnacle of cycling come here to the circuit.
“And then we can give people something to aim for. So it’s great, the more the merrier.
“This has been 100 per cent a venue that’s about more than just motorsport.
“We call ourselves the meeting place of champions.
“So of course you’ve got F1 and you see the best of motorsport come to the circuit but it’s all about being a place where champions come.
“It’s not just about winning, it’s about dedication, hard work, talent all those sorts of things that make champions. It’s about all of sport.”
