Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 3: Al Ain

Abu Dhabi Tour 2017 Route stage 3: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet

Saturday, 25 February 2017 - At 186 kilometres, the 3rd stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour is probably going to be decisive. It's not the distance that matters, the race boils down to an 10.8 kilometres closing climb with ramps of up to 11%. Jebel Hafeet is the only ascent in the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour.

The closing climb is mostly played out on Jebel Ḥafeeṫ Mountain Road, a three-lane roadway that goes on for 10.8 kilometers at 6.6%. Gradients vary mostly around 8-9% in the last kilometres with a peak of 11% at 2.8 kilometres before the top. A minor descent ushers in the final ramp that leads straight to the finish line.

Two years ago leader Wout Poels crashed on the final corner and lost both stage and overall win to Esteban Chaves. In last year’s edition Tanel Kangert climbed to victory on Jebel Hafeet and the Estonian is title holder.

The 3rd stage of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour is a three-faced race. Urban surroundings at first, then a trip through the desert, and mountains in the finale.

Inside Al Ain city the race is on wide roads with roundabouts and speed humps before the section through the desert is played out on wide and predominantly straight roads. With 15 kilometres remaining the route starts to rise slightly towards the final ascent, culminating in a summit finish at an elevation of 1.025 metres.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprints (at 160.2 and 172.5 kilometers) come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

Results/race report 3rd stage 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour.