#360view: Problems to fix for AD Tour

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  • Another world-class cycling stage race wrapped up in the UAE this week, leaving behind lots to be excited about, mixed with a shred of disappointment.

    – Yas officials believe Tour will boost cycling in UAE

    – INTERVIEW: Tom Dumoulin on road to Grand Tour glory

    There’s no denying the country is experiencing a cycling boom in line with the ever-growing reach of a sport which had typically been associated with one continent – Europe – but is now spreading to all corners of the globe.

    The introduction of the Abu Dhabi Tour came on the heels of two successful Dubai Tours and is a massive coup for the UAE, especially considering the calibre of the riders who made the trip to the capital and added an extra week to their already packed race schedule.

    Views of the city’s beautiful landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Qasr Al Sarab luxury desert resort, the majestic Emirates Palace, the beautiful Jabel Hafeet and the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit filled screens of cycling viewers worldwide, showcasing what Abu Dhabi has to offer.

    But while the aerial views of the emirate portrayed a wonderful image of the UAE capital, closer shots of the race also showed struggling riders, battling temperatures which reached 50°C and empty sidewalks which should have been jam-packed with enthusiasts.

    While spreading a cycling culture here cannot happen overnight, it was a bit sad that even the existing fans of the sport barely showed up to greet the riders on the streets. The lack of spectators was particularly evident in the Capital Stage on Friday, where cyclists rode through the city – on a weekend – yet people did not step outside their homes to watch.

    They can’t really be blamed as the sweltering conditions made it very difficult for people to voluntarily stand outdoors. It is unseasonably hot for October at the moment and organisers could not have predicted the conditions would be this tough when they announced the race earlier in the year. They shortened the opening desert stage by 14.5km but their hands were tied when it came to taking any further measures with TV programming dictating that essentially ‘the show must go on’.

    While most riders have spoken up regarding the weather, it must be said many of them have also stated how much they enjoyed racing in the UAE.

    The timing of the Abu Dhabi Tour raised question marks from the beginning as it was on the heels of the Vuelta a Espana and the World Championships, yet most of the top riders still came here to compete.

    The three-year deal with Velon – a group that represents 11 WorldTour teams – probably has a lot to do with that (commitment from teams and riders is part of their deal with Abu Dhabi Sports Council), so does the “special” prize money listed at the back of the Tour handbook, which shows the ADSC were generous enough to offer the overall winner €20,000 above the regular €6,120 paycheck.

    But that doesn’t mean all the riders were forced to come here or were simply chasing cash. Star sprinter Marcel Kittel says each rider has different goals for the season and many would prioritise having a big finish to their year here.

    Elia Viviani, who won Stages Two and Four, said the fact he came to Abu Dhabi straight after Worlds meant that he was in form.

    Abu Dhabi Tour champion Esteban Chaves certainly didn’t need any convincing to come to the UAE. He’d never visited the country before and was excited to race somewhere new.

    Coming to the Emirates gave him a chance to get his first-ever general classification victory as a professional. The worry is the novelty of the location will quickly wear off. This is why it is important organisers take the necessary measures to avoid staging the race in such extreme weather next year to ensure they keep attracting such an impressive field.

    If that is taken care of, there is no reason the Abu Dhabi Tour shouldn’t thrive for many years to come.

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