In the magnificent setting of Yas Marina Centre, Mark Cavendish, Abu Dhabi Tour Ambassador, revealed the four different jerseys that will debut on October 8th on the podium of Madinat Zayed, after the finish of Stage 1 of the brand new cycling tour.
 
The Leader’s jersey will be red and sponsored by the ‘Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)’; the Points Classification Leader will don green and have the emblem of the ‘Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC)’; the Best Young Rider Classification Leader will be awarded white thanks to the support of ‘The National’, Abu Dhabi’s English language newspaper, while the Intermediate Sprint Classification Leader will wear a black jersey powered by ‘Etihad Airways’.
 
“Bikes and jerseys are an inseparable couple. And cycling fans know how important the jersey’s reputation is for the success of a stage tour. Ours is a choice of identity: red, green, white and black, representing the UAE’s unity and it is important to carry on this context through sport,” said Mr. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. “I pause a moment on the Leader jersey: not everybody knows that red is the dominant colour of the Abu Dhabi traditional flag. In this manner we want to symbolize all our history while we are on the world stage.”
 
“I’m honoured to be here today in the role of Official Ambassador” said Mark Cavendish, Abu Dhabi Tour Official Ambassador. “This is an important step on the road to the debut Abu Dhabi Tour. Jerseys are the symbols of our sport: the colours and meanings behind them are very important. I definitely like these colours and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s choice. I will be focused more on red and green but I am very curious of black, an unusual colour in the international cycling circuit. I hope to reach the podium after the first stage in Madinat Zayed.”
 
After the conference Mark Cavendish was with the media as they tested the new garments on the Yas Marina F1 Circuit, open to bikes every Tuesday evening thanks to the TrainYAS program. The ride was a preview: the final sprint of the Abu Dhabi Tour takes place right here at night, under the floodlights of the F1 Circuit after 20 laps of 5.5km each.
 
The jerseys are designed and made by the iconic brand Castelli. The jersey is cut in a close-to-the-body anatomical shape for maximum aerodynamic performance when the peloton head into dusty crosswind sections.

Red Jersey - General Classification: worn by the overall winner, the one who has proven themselves to be the fastest and most consistent rider over the course.

Powered by: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

Mr. Mohammed Sanad Al Qubaisi – Deputy HR Director – said: “ADNOC’s sponsorship of this event comes within its social responsibilities towards the community, and demonstrates its keenness to support all community sport events and activities in order to enhance the image and reputation of Abu Dhabi as a prominent international hub and capital for world-class sport events.”
 
“ADNOC organized, in cooperation with ADSC and the UAE cycling federation, the first edition of the 80km open cycling race; 641 male and female competitors from 40 nationalities took part, including UAE champions.”
 
“ADCO-one of ADNOC’s companies was also in line by organizing the ‘Tel Murieb’ cycling challenge. The challenge was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, and was supported by ADSC and the Cycling federation as around 500 competitors took part.”
 
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was established in 1971 to operate in all areas of the oil and gas industry. Since then it has steadily broadened its activity in establishing companies and subsidiaries and creating an integrated oil and gas industry in the fields of exploration and production, support services, oil refining and gas processing, chemicals and petrochemicals, maritime transportation and refined products and distribution.

Green Jersey - Points Classification: worn by the fastest man of the peloton.

Powered by: Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC)

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has been established based on the decision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, No. 16 of 2006. The ADSC embodies the visions and ideas of our wise leadership to develop Sport and youth activities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The ADSC’s goal is to develop the sport sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi through the development of sport clubs, sport institutions and sport events. This is being achieved by delivering an integrated sporting environment in terms of legislative, organizational, technical, administrative and infrastructural aspects in order to meet and to fulfil the needs and requirements of the community. It creates opportunities for children, youths, and other age categories to have a professional sportive environment to enable them to practice and to enhance their sportive and educational skills, prepare them to compete strongly in championships and competitions at local, regional, continental and international levels. 

The ADSC’s goal is also to promote sport investments and to spread and disseminate the culture of sport professionalism through the application and implementation of the latest and best international practices.

White Jersey Young Rider Classification: worn by the best young rider U25 in the overall classification.

Powered by: The National

Mohammed Al Otaiba – Editor-in-chief of The National newspaper - said: “The National is delighted to be supporting this race. We are enthusiastic about cycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and as a sport. We hope this race will build anticipation for our second #cycletoworkuae day on Jan. 12, 2016, where we hope to see everyone going to work and back on two wheels. In the meantime we will be cheering on the cyclists participating in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour. Abu Dhabi Sports Channel will be the official media broadcaster for the Abu Dhabi Tour 2015.”
 
The National, Abu Dhabi Media's first English-language publication, has set a new standard for quality English-language journalism in the Middle East.

Launched in April 2008, The National sought to establish an institution on par with some of the greatest newspapers in the world, but with the authenticity of a paper made in the UAE. With more than 200 journalists based in the country's seven emirates and in foreign bureaux throughout the world, The National tells the story of the Middle East as seen through the region's eyes. Focused on the capital, Abu Dhabi, but anchored in the new social and political reality that is the emerging nation within a fast-changing global context, The National offers fresh, compelling content that's made in the UAE.

The National is a multi-platform news organisation with a range of digital products and services.

Black Jersey - Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn by the rider who gains more Intermediate Sprint Points than any other rider.

Powered by: Etihad Airways

Hareb Al Muhairy, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President for Corporate and International Affairs, said: “Etihad Airways is delighted to be the official airline partner and lead jersey sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Tour which will see hundreds of the world’s best cyclists take to the streets of the UAE’s capital, Western region and Al Ain next month.

“Etihad Airways is a proud partner of many of the UAE’s leading sporting and cultural events and the Abu Dhabi Tour will be a great addition to these other events, which include the Volvo Ocean Race and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“The airline is also involved in several campaigns aimed at raising awareness about healthy living in the UAE and the partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tour, as well as the exposure the race will bring, will support these goals and encourage residents of the UAE to give cycling a go this winter.”