The UAE Tour kicks off with a 16 kilometres long team time trial on Al Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi. The race stays in Abu Dhabi for its 2nd stage, which starts near Yas Mall in the heart of Yas Island and finishes near Big Flag. The course is pan-flat, so a sprint finish is next to certain.
The 3rd stage is the last challenge in Abu Dhabi. Following a flat race the finale is on Jebel Hafeet, the climb that formerly punctuated the Abu Dhabi Tour. Jebel Hafeet is 10.8 kilometres at 6.6%, while its steepest ramps are 11%. Alejandro Valverde, Rui Costa and Esteban Chaves are former winners atop Jebel Hafeet.
The 4th stage is tailor made for punchers. The route travels on lumpy terrain from Dubai to the Hatta Dam. The 1 kilometre ramp tips to a 17% gradient just before the top.
In stage 5 it’s probably back to the fast men. Moving through the emirates Sharjah and Fujairah, the peloton travels to Khor Fakkan for a likely sprint finish.
Jais Mountains have never seen a pro-peloton before, but this is going to change in stage 6. The final haul up on Jebel Jais is 20 kilometres and its average gradient sits at 5%.
The UAE Tour concludes with a pan-flat race in Dubai.
UAE Tour 2019: route, elevations, more
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Abu Dhabi and Dubai at Google Maps
Jebel Hafeet interactive
Streetview top Jebel Hafeet
Jebel Hafeetop at strava.com
Climb details Jebel Hafeet
Climb details Jebel Hafeet in 3D
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