Etixx - Quick-Step has announced the selection that will participate in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour, a four-stage, 555km stage race from the 8th of October until the 11th of October.

Three out of four stages — Liwa Stage (175km), Capital Stage (130km), and Yas Stage (110km) — favor a bunch arrival. The Yas Stage is a 20-lap circuit of 5.5km, and is a twilight stage.

There is also the Al Ain Stage, 140km in total distance, which will finish on Jebel Hafeet. The climb includes 1000m of ascent, with a 7.5% average gradient and a max ramp of 12 percent.

The riders who will participate for Etixx - Quick-Step are Tom Boonen, Gianluca Brambilla, Fabio Sabatini, Stijn Vandenbergh, Carlos Verona, and Lukasz Wisniowski.

"It's not the first time I will be there, but it will be the first time I discover it by bike," Boonen said. "I'm very happy that we will be part of this amazing race. It will also be nice that we not just ride in Europe, but other countries are interested in bike racing. It's a good way to finish the season under the sun of Abu Dhabi.

"The parcours has two flat stages, and one mountain stage that we have to see how hard it will be. The last stage will be a circuit, so I think we will have some ambition there to go for the sprints. We're not sure if there will be wind, however, so that is a big question mark for everyone. I'm excited to find out about this race."

“We are there to do well with Boonen, who is motivated and he is doing a great final of the season," Sport Director Davide Bramati said. "There are at least a couple of stages for riders with his skills. On the uphill finish we can count on Brambilla, who did a good Vuelta, and he kept training and stayed focus for the end of the season."

The Etixx-QuickStep selection for the race:
Tom Boonen, Gianluca Brambilla, Fabio Sabatini, Stijn Vandenbergh, Carlos Verona and Lukasz Wisniowski.