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