Abu Dhabi Tour 2017: Favourites
The Abu Dhabi Tour is a two-faced race. Three chances for the fast men, while the GC-riders go head to head in the only mountain stage. Usually, the winner on Jebel Hafeet - a 10.8 kilometres climb - takes the overall. Cyclingstage.com takes a closer look at the favourites to win the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour. (Slideshow route/profile)
The inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Tour was won by Esteban Chaves, while last year Tanel Kangert took the win. On both occasions they were victorious on Jebel Hafeet, which is a 10.8 kilometres climb at 6.6% with a steepest sector of 11%.
During the first two years of its existence the Abu Dhabi Tour race was part of the Asia Tour, but last spring the race was granted World Tour status by the UCI for the 1017, 2018 and 2019 editions. A direct effect of this promotion is an impressive start list.
The 2017 season is still young, so it’s hard to pinpoint top-favourites. Mollema will feel strong after winning last month’s Vuelta de San Juan and beating Nibali, who is riding in Abu Dhabi too, while Nairo Quintana recently took the Tour of Valencia. Other major contenders are Contador, Nibali, Bardet, Kruijswijk, Aru, Majka, Zakarin and Van Garderen.
Favourites Abu Dhabi Tour
*** Nairo Quintana, Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru, Bauke Mollema, Alberto Contador
** Tejay van Garderen, Rafal Majka, Vincenzo Nibali, Steven Kruijswijk, Ilnur Zakarin
* Tom Dumoulin, Roman Kreuziger, Louis Meintjes, Nicolas Roche, Robert Gesink, Rui Costa
Abu Dhabi Tour 2017: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Abu Dhabi Tour Route
Abu Dhabi Tour Riders
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Caleb Ewan outsprints Mark Cavendish, Rui Costa GC winner - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Rui Costa takes Queen Stage and overall lead - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Kittels bests Ewan by millimetres, Cav still leader - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Cav outpowers Greipel to take take leaders jersey - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 1: Madinat Zayed - Madinat Zayed - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 2: Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 3: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 4: Criterium on F1 Yas Marina circuit - Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 More articles Vuelta 2026: Route & rumours
Tour de France 2026: Route
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 1: Barcelona - Barcelona
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 2: Tarragona - Barcelona
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 3: Granollers - Les Angles
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 6: Pau - Gavarnie-Gèdre
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 9: Malemort – Ussel
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 10: Aurillac - Le Lioran
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 14: Mulhouse - Le Markstein
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 15: Champagnole - Plateau de Solaison
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 16: Evian-les-Bains - Thonon-les-Bains
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 18: Voiron - Orcières-Merlette
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 19: Gap - Alpe d’Huez
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 20: Bourg d'Oissans - Alpe d'Huez
Tour de France 2026 Route stage 21: Thoiry - Paris
Giro 2026: Route
Giro 2026 Route stage 1: Nesebăr – Burgas
Giro 2026 Route stage 2: Burgas - Veliko Tarnovo
Giro 2026 Route stage 3: Plovdiv - Sofia
Giro 2026 Route stage 4: Catanzaro - Cosenza
Giro 2026 Route stage 5: Praia a Mare – Potenza
Giro 2026 Route stage 6: Paestum - Napels
Giro 2026 Route stage 7: Formia - Blockhaus
Giro 2026 Route stage 8: Chieti - Fermo
Giro 2026 Route stage 9: Cervia – Corno alle Scale
Giro 2026 Route stage 10: Viareggio - Massa
Giro 2026 Route stage 11: Porcari - Chiavari
Giro 2026 Route stage 12: Imperia - Novi Ligure
Giro 2026 Route stage 13: Alessandria - Verbania
Giro 2026 Route stage 14: Aosta - Pila
Cycling Calendar 2026