The much anticipated “UAE Cycling Tour 2019” sets off today, February 25th, 2019, and quite sadly motorists would experience some road closures from Monday until Saturday, across different cycling routes for much of the days.

Organizers of the elite professional cycling race, a body of 20 teams featuring some of the biggest names in the sport, released the details of the routes to be closed during the event.

Let’s have a rundown.

Monday: Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi stage

City: Abu Dhabi

The stage one of this event which is to hold at Abu Dhabi boasts 184km-long route and this starts at Yas Mall, to Khalifa Port. Thereafter, the cyclist will return to the city along Channel Street pedaling their way from Yas Island to Saadiyat Island, passing the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Corniche until the finish line at Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

Road closure will be in place along the route from 11:25 AM to 4:25 PM.

Tuesday: Department of Transport stage – Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet

City: Al Ain

The first of two mountain stages will see the cyclists go on a challenging route from Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet on a 179km-long route.

Road closure starts at 11:30 AM until about 4:25 PM, affecting the beginning of the route at Nahyan The First Street until Jebel Hafeet Road.

Wednesday: Dubai Municipality stage – Palm Jumeirah to Hatta Dam

City: Dubai

197km-long, this route constitutes the longest stage of the tour. It isn’t only the longest route or stage; it is the most difficult one in the Cycling tour since it was the Dubai Tour. It sets off at Palm Jumeirah, passing through Al Marmoum, Dubai Autodrome, Al Marmoum Lake, Fossil Rock, Mountain Rock, Hatta Heritage Village and Wadi Hub before wrapping up at Hatta Dam.

Road closures starts at 11:00 AM at Palm Jumeirah and will affect the routes until Hatta Dam. Routes in Madinat Jumeirah and Al Sufouh will be affected. The final road closure will start at 3:55 PM.

Thursday: Sharjah stage – Sharjah to Khor Fakkan

City: Sharjah

This stage, route 181km-long, stretches from the Arabian Gulf to the Sea of Oman; it spans the desert between the University of Sharjah and the University of Khalba, and runs through Fujairah, ending in Khor Fakkan.

Roads at Sharjah University and the University of Khalba will be closed from 11:35 AM. The E99 at Khor Fakkan will be closed from 3:55 PM.

Friday: RAK Properties stage – Ajman to Jebel Jais

City: Ras Al Khaimah

The sixth stage, the second and final mountain stage, stretches from Ajman to Jebel Jais. 180km-long, it is longer than the first. The E11 in Ajman will be closed at 11:20 PM ahead of the start of the event. Roads in Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khimah will also be closed as the route spans Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Jais mountain. The final road closure at Wadi Shah will set off at 2.55 PM.

Saturday: Dubai stage – Dubai Safari Park to City Walk

City: Dubai

The final stage will be staged on the streets of Dubai, starting at Dubai Safari through Dubai Design District, Mushrif Park, Al Mamzar Beach, Deira and Port Rashis before reaching Jumeirah Road on the final stretch to the finishing point at City Walk. This stage covers the total distance of 145 km.

Road closures will start at 12:25 PM at Dubai Safari, up to Dubai Design District, through Mushrif Park, down to Al Mamzar Beach, and then on to Deira and Port Rashid before reaching Jumeirah Road and finishing at City Walk, Al Wasl Road at 3:55 PM.

References:

• TheNational.ae
• GulfNews.com & 2
• What’sOn.ae