Dubai Tour 2016 Route stage 3: Dubai Marine Club – Hatta Dam

Friday, February 5, 2016 – Stage 3 is the only stage in the Dubai Tour with a significant height profile. The last 40 kilometres have three climbs on offer and the closing climb is toughest. At 1 kilometre, the gradient steadily increases to reach a steepest section at 17% just before the finish line. A puncheur's finish in the Dubai Tour!

After leaving Dubai the pack crosses the desert in easterly direction. The riders head for Hata, a town in the Al Hajar Mountains, located at an elevation of 387 metres.

Last year's stage to Hatta was longer and tougher as it contained more climbs, but John Degenkolb was not a all impressed by it. At the steep arrival the sprinter outpowered renowned puncheur Alejandro Valverde to grab the win.

Stage 3, edition 2016, brings three climbs. The first one is crested with 35 kilometres left, while the second – 5.8 kilometres, steepest section at 10% – peaks at 8 kilometres from the finish line.

The closing climb is only 1 kilometre and is marked by an absurd steep end. After a fairly neutral opening the final 200 metres are insane. At first an 8% grade, getting nastier in the last 100 metres with 14% and then 17%.

By Dubai concepts we are talking Alpe d'Huez here, but let's be realistic. Last year the Hatta Dam stage was tougher, yet Mark Cavendish was still able to limit his losses and take the overall in the Dubai Tour 2015.

Atop Hatta Dam time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds lay waiting. The intermediate sprints in the 2016 Dubai Tour have 3, 2 and 1 second on offer.

Race results/race report stage 3, Dubai Tour 2016.