Panel finalises route for inaugural Dubai Tour 2014

The Higher Organising Committee of Dubai Tour 2014 held its fifth meeting under the chairmanship of Saeed Mohammed Hareb at the Dubai Sports Council earlier this week.

Attended by Yousuf Jawad, First Vice-President; Osama Al Shafar, Second Vice-President and Race Director Huraiz Bin Huraiz and other members of the higher organising committee, the meeting discussed several key issues including the finalising of the route for next year’s race.

The inaugural edition of the Dubai Tour will take place from February 5 to 8 next year with the Dubai Sports Council organising the prestigious event in association with RCS Sport. The event is scheduled to be held one week before the ASO-organised Tour of Qatar.

The first edition of the Dubai Tour will be a four-day competition for top teams across the world with the opening stage being held with a start at the Burj Khalifa proceeding towards Burj Al Arab and other iconic structures of Dubai.

Due attention is also being given to showcase the outskirts of the emirate with special emphasis on the beauty of the surrounding Hatta region along with the cultural and heritage spots such as the Al Shindagah area.

The route is being finalised in close association with RCS Sport who are keen to design a very technical route at the same time showcasing the main landmarks of Dubai.

“Our aim through this race is to show what Dubai has to offer to the world,” Saeed Hareb remarked after the meeting.

“We have been in close touch via teleconference with top officials from RCS Sport and they have been working hard to ensure that there is minimum inconvenience to the residents when the course is set,” he added.

Saeed Hareb was also grateful to Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council for his support to cycling as witnessed by the organizing of a 70 km cycle race last week as part of the annual Nad Al Sheba Ramadan Tournament at the Nad Al Sheba Club.

“This sort of support will give us a huge boost to work towards a more organized race and we are encouraged with the personal interest shown by Sheikh Hamdan in ensuring that this event is a huge success, not just for Dubai but for the entire UAE,” Saeed Hareb noted.

Plans for the Dubai Tour were initially outlined in January this year with Spanish rider and winner of all three grand tours in cycling, Alberto Contador endorsing the event.
 

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