The second edition of Dubai Tour started on Wednesday, featuring some of the best cyclists in the world and establishing itself on the international cycling calendar. But there’s an annoying downside to the big event, at least for Dubai residents – certain roads will be closed, which will affect everyone.
The inaugural Dubai tour last year was a tough 418-km race, but this year organizers maximized the challenge, increasing the total length to the leg-burning 663 km. There are other major changes in the course, too – the time trial stage was eliminated, giving way to a hill climb finish. Dubai Tour 2015 marks the start of the Persian Gulf Races and the season for 16 teams of eight riders, who are racing in and around the emirate, facing desert, climbs, and hot weather. Taking place between 4th and 7th February, the 2.HC class race has its all four stages starting from the Dubai International marine Club. And as in 2014, the final stage ends in front of the Burj Khalifa.
Stage 1: The Westin Dubai Stage, Dubai – Dubai, 145-km sprint stage
Stage 2: Nakheel Stage, Dubai – Jumeirah Palm, 187-km sprint stage
Thursday’s stage is divided into two parts – the first one outside the city, while the second starting from Dubai Marina and ending at Palm Jumeirah.
- 10am-11am: Al Sufouh Road
- 10.15am-11.15am: Umm Suqeim Road and Al Khail Road
- 10.45am-11.30am: Meydan Road
- 10.50am-11.45am: Nad Al Sheba 3 area
- 11.45am-12.50pm: Academic City area
- 11.45am-1pm: Al Aweer Road
- 1pm-1.30pm: Jebel Ali–Lahbab Road and Dubai-Al Ain Road
- 1.30pm-2pm: Al Lisaili area
- 2pm-2.30pm: Al Qudra Street
- 2.30pm-2.50pm: Umm Suqeim Road to Al Barsha South and Al Hessa Street
- 2.55pm-3.20pm: Al Asayel, Al Warood, First Al Khail, Naseem and Al Falak streets
- 3.20pm-3.55pm: The Palm
Stage 3: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Stage, Dubai – Hatta, 205 km, with hill-climb finish
On Friday, the course heads to the Hatta enclave on the border with Oman, going through Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The finale will be at Hatta Dam in the stunning Hajar Mountains.
- 9.30am-10am: Al Sufouh Road towards to Dubai (between the intersection of Tamani Hotel Madinat Jumeirah)
- 10am-10.30am: Umm Suqeim Road towards the Arabian Ranches (between the intersection of Madinat Jumeirah and the intersection of Al Khail Road)
- 10.30am-11am: Al Khail Road towards Ras Al Khor (between the intersection of Al Khail Road and the intersection of Abu Kudra)
- 11am-11.30am: Towards Al Aweer (between the intersection of Abu Kudra and the intersection of the vegetable market)
- 10.45am-12midday: Awir Road towards to Lahbab (between the junction of the vegetable market and Lahbab roundabout)
- 11.15am-12.30pm: Hatta Dubai Road towards Hatta (between Al Habab roundabout & Al Madam roundabout)
- 2.30pm-3.45pm: Internal streets in the Hatta area
Stage 4: The Burj Stage, Dubai – Burj Khalifa, 123-km sprint stage
On Saturday, the route crosses the Old City, next to the Meydan hippodrome and Mushrif Park, then heads to al-Mamzar and crosses Deira and its harbor on the creek. Riders continue to Jumeirah Road, sprinting in front of the Burj Khalifa.
- 11.30am-11.40am: Al Sufouh Road towards Dubai (between the junction of Tamani Hotel & the junction of Madinat Jumeirah)
- 11.40am-11.50am: Umm Suqeim Road towards Al Wasl Road (between the Madinat Jumeirah junction and Dubai Police Academy junction)
- 11.50am-12.10pm: Al Wasl Road towards Dubai (between the junction of Dubai Police Academy and junction of Al Hadiqa)
- 12.10pm-12.20pm: Al Hadiqa Street towards Al Meydan (between the junction of Al Hadiqa Street & Al Khail)
- 12.20pm-12.35pm: Al Meydan towards Dubai Eye Street – 12.35pm-12.50pm: Internal streets in Nad Al Sheba 3 area
- 12.50pm-1pm: Nad Al Hamar Street
- 1pm-1.10pm: Al Rabat Street
- 1.10pm-1.25pm: Tripoli Street
- 1.25pm-1.45pm: Within Musharraf Park Khawaneej Road 222 Street
- 1.45pm-2pm: Tunis Street & Al Nahda, Damascus & Baghdad
- 2pm-2.20pm: Cairo street, the Gulf and Bani Yas
- 2.20pm-2.35pm: Al Saif & Al Khaleej Street
- 2.45pm-3.15pm: Jumeirah Road
- 3.15pm-3.45pm: Al Arouba, Al Wasl, Al Safa and Financial Center until the Burj Khalifa
Of course, instead of avoiding the closed roads on Saturday, you can simply line up at watch the final race of the 2015 Dubai Tour, which promises a lot of pain for the cyclists, but great excitement for the audience.
