مرحباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 6 of the UAE Tour

Ajman, 1 March 2019 – مرحباً (Marhaban!) from Stage 6, the RAK Properties Stage, of the inaugural edition of the UAE Tour (24 February – 2 March 2019), the only WorldTour race in the Middle East. The final climb of Jebel Jais will decide the shape of the GC battle for the race.

The peloton, 135 riders strong, passed km 0 at 12:19. Dossard nr 161, Kenny Elissonde (Team Sky), did not start.

During the stage, 36 points are the maximum available for the Green Jersey (72 left in the race) and 16 for the Black Jersey (32 left in the race). There are a maximum available of 16″ time bonuses too, 3″ in each of the two intermediate sprints and 10″ on the finish line.

Weather

Ajman (12.00 – Start): Scattered clouds 29°C. Wind: strong – 32kmh, NNE.
Jebel Jais (16.40 – Finish): Scattered clouds 14°C. Wind: strong – 24kmh, ENE.

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Stage 6 Start Photo Gallery
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UAE Tour Start List
UAE Tour Official Roadbook
UAE Tour Route Maps

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Humaid Al-Nuaimi with UCI Road World Champion Alejandro Valverde at the signature podium

JERSEYS

The Red Jersey, sponsored by Emirates (General individual classification by time) – Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma)
The Green Jersey, sponsored by ADNOC (General individual classification by points) – Stepan Kuriyanov (Gazprom – RusVelo)
The White Jersey, sponsored by Nakheel (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1994) – David Gaudu (Groupama – FDJ)
The Black Jersey, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Aviation (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) – Stepan Kuriyanov (Gazprom – RusVelo). Jersey worn by Charles Planet (Team Novo Nordisk)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 – Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma)
2 – Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) at 21″
3 – David Gaudu (Groupama – FDJ) at 38″

COURSE

Stage 6 – RAK PROPERTIES STAGE – Ajman-Jebel Jais – 175km

Stage 6 course modification
The transfer section towards the actual start (km 0) of today’s stage has been modified due to a concurrent event. The section is now 8km long and, therefore, the stage length is 175km.

The RAK Properties Stage has a profile technically similar to Stage 3, being divided into two distinct parts. The first is a flat approach to the final climb, and the second is about 20km of continuous ascent until the finish line. After departing Ajman, the route crosses Umm-al-Quwain, heading towards Ras Al Khaimah, through Al Marjan Island and Mina Al Arab, as the race heads directly to Jebel Jais Mountain. The final 20km climb averages 5%, and is generally constant with slightly higher gradients of around 7% in the last 2km.

Final Km
The final climb includes wide hairpins on a very wide carriageway. Gradient is mostly 4-5% in the first part of the climb and around 5-7% in the second, with a maximum of 9% at 2km to go. The final straight is on tarmac.

Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are very excited to feature Jebel Jais, one of the UAE’s most iconic natural landmarks and home to the world’s longest zip line, as part of the UAE Tour this year. Our beautiful emirate offers the ideal terrain to enjoy this incredible sporting event with stunning natural landscapes and pristine beaches. We are confident participants will be impressed with the contrast between modern cities and the beautiful natural landscapes of the UAE. Sports and adventure tourism is key to Ras al Khaimah’s tourism development strategy, and the UAE Tour and the UAE Tour Challenge is an important addition to our rich sports events portfolio.”

POINTS OF INTEREST

1 – AJMAN
Ajman is a small emirate overlooking the Arabian Gulf, with tourist attractions including the Ajman’s Corniche, the Ajman National Museum situated at Ajman Fort and the Red Fort. The Al Manama Museum, in the enclave of Manama, highlights the region’s heritage, traditional architecture and crafts.

2 – UMM AL QUWAIN
Umm al Quwain – literally “Mother of Two Powers” – is the least populous of the seven sovereign emirates in the United Arab Emirates and was established as an independent sheikhdom in 1775 by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla. Its main attractions include the UAQ Museum, the water park Dreamland and the UAQ Islands

3 – AL MARJAN ISLAND
Al Marjan Island is a group of four coral-shaped islands – Breeze Island, Treasure Island, Dream Island and View Island – forming a 2,700,000-square metre archipelago in Ras Al Khaimah, in the Arabian Gulf. Extending 4.5 kilometres (2.8mi) into the sea, Al Marjan Island boasts several hotels and resorts with pristine beaches and water sports. The island also hosts a number of events including the exciting music festival, Destination Dawn. This New Year’s Eve, Al Marjan bagged the Guinness World Record for the largest aerial firework shell during a firework spectacle that left everybody with open jaws.

4 – AL HAMRA VILLAGE AND GOLF COURSE
Al Hamra Village and Golf Course is a luxurious community with beaches, hotels, residences, lakes and an 18-hole championship golf course, which is host to the European Challenge Tour.

5 – MINA AL ARAB
The sea of green between the water and the road is Mina Al Arab, a luxurious residential community built by RAK Properties. The community has more than 7,000 trees planted in public areas in addition to all the greenery that people have in their gardens. Just after Mina Al Arab is a mangrove reserve protected by the developers – maybe we will be lucky enough to see a flock of flamingoes as we pass. It’s a place that has clearly been designed to allow people to live close to nature. You have a row of coffee shops and restaurants sitting over the water, connected by a walking path to all the houses and apartments. In front of the coffee shops is a marina where you can launch your boat and enjoy Ras Al Khaimah’s beautiful sea. New additions to the community are the Intercontinental and Anantara Hotels, which you can see under construction below. It’s really a luxurious place to live.

6 – GATEAWAY
Gateway Residence is a landmark property with lagoon and ocean views on Raha Island. What’s better than Island life, right? You have the lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other. It’s a beautifully green community, which is really a luxury in a desert climate. Seeing buildings like this coming out of the ground is a reminder of the growth of the UAE and specifically of Ras Al Khaimah. Developments like this are available for people from around the world to own and participate in the growing story of the UAE. It’s a testament to the openness and welcoming nature of the country’s leadership. You can imagine how relaxing it would be sitting in Gateway’s infinity pool and looking out over the tranquil lagoon.

7 – HAYAT ISLAND
Hayat Island is the next big expansion area of Mina Al Arab being built by RAK Properties. You can see on the far end of the Island the new Intercontinental rising from the ground. It’s going to be an amazing property that will allow more visitors to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah’s fantastic beaches. Residents tell us that just off the coast of the Intercontinental is a playground for sea turtles who seem to nest on the sandbars in front of the protected mangrove area. The other big development on Hayat Island is Marbella Villas, which will be built on the lagoon side. RAK Properties seem to have really figured out healthy living – building beautiful, spacious villas on the water, surrounded by green, with well-planned walking and cycle paths to connect residents. It looks like a great place to enjoy Island living.

8 – INTERCONTINENTAL
The Intercontinental Hotel Ras Al Khaimah is really going to add a new luxury destination to the Ras Al Khaimah map. The 350-key resort, set to open early next year, is going to be the best place to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah’s beach front life. It will have everything one would want from a luxury hotel stay – five-star facilities facing the Arabian Sea, a health club and spa, two pools, a well-equipped gym and specialty restaurants. It is located on the recently announced Hayat Island, RAK Properties’ next major development in Ras Al Khaimah.

9 – ANANTARA MINA AL ARAB RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT
Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort offers overwater luxury on the Arabian Gulf in a pristine eco-sanctuary. It is part of the the Mina Al Arab luxury development, a beachfront playground with a marina, waterfront cafes and boutiques. The resort offers guests a choice of rooms, suites and overwater villas in Maldivian resort style. Wake up to the call of the waves and dive directly into the ocean below. Dine overwater at the resort’s signature Thai restaurant.

10 – JULPHAR TOWERS
Julphar Towers are the tallest towers in the emirate with stunning views of Ras Al Khaimah’s coast, mangroves and mountains. As landmarks, they can always orient a visitor to the center of the city. Julphar towers take their name from the old medieval city that preceded today’s Ras Al Khaimah. This is a city that has always been at the center of trade routes and its rich history stretches back more than 7,000 years. RAK Properties is proud to have built these towers that are both connected to the history of the city and a part of bringing it forward to the future.

11 – RAS AL KHAIMAH
One of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history dating back 7,000 years. The UAE’s northernmost emirate boasts an array of archaeological sites and breath-taking natural vistas, from 64km of golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE where you can hike, zip line and cycle. A true hub for active adventurers, cultural explorers and wellness seekers, Ras al Khaimah’s stunning natural landscapes, wildlife and heritage evoke authentic Arabian experiences.

12 – JEBEL JAIS – HOME TO THE LONGEST ZIP LINE IN THE WORLD
In the eastern part of Ras Al Khaimah is a spectacular mountain range called Hajar Mountains. These mountains were formed more than 70-million years ago. Jebel Jais, at 1,934m, is not only the highest peak in Ras Al Khaimah but in the entire UAE. A key feature of the mountains is the abundance of wadis, hiking and mountain bike trails. Jebel Jais is home to the famous and longest zip line in the world, projecting Ras Al Khaimah into the major league of global adventure tourism and cementing Jebel Jais as the region’s leading, active adventure tourism destination. You can also experience the Via Ferrata – the region’s first commercial iron path hiking trail. The Viewing Deck Park on Jebel Jais provides open air food outlets and stunning views, as well as the region’s highest outdoor skating rink.

TV COVERAGE

UAE Tour Stage 6 International TV Schedule available here.

UAE TOUR APP

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UAE TOUR PRESS ROOM

From the official online pressroom the media can download high resolution pictures of the race. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press/ password: press), select “Media”, then “Cycling”, then UAE Tour. The photos are free of charge for editorial use, as long as both the UAE Tour and the photographer’s name is quoted.

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Photo Credit: LaPresse / Ferrari – Paolone