It seems that riders will never be satisfied with weather conditions in October. After the Tour of Beijing was affected by smog and eventually cancelled, the heat in the new Abu Dhabi Tour is potentially affecting the riders in an even bigger way.

Stage one took place mostly in the desert and all but the last 15 minutes o the stage was ridden in over 40 degrees Celsius. Riders were struggling to remain hydrated and the pace was slow. And this was with 15km being shaved off the stage too.

"It was impossible, it went too far. At a certain point it was 54 degrees," Tom Boonen told the Belgian journalists on the race. "It was just impossible to race. On the first small climbs my heart rate was 170-180, so was everybody else's, without really pushing. You can ride in these conditions but you can't race. The guys in the front just fell back one by one."

Another experienced rider, Daniele Bennati, said the conditions were just about acceptable, but says riders cant throw fits as the sport needs these new, big money races to keep attracting sponsors.

"We understand we can't simply boycott a race when things are difficult. There are less and less races and less and less money in the sport. We've got do as much as we can to respect the work of the race organisers," Bennati said after finish.

"I think it was on the limit of what is acceptable. Everyone's heart rate went up really high when the road went up. I was at 180 on a bridge, which is a bit frightening. Fortunately we all used some common sense and things went okay. We all know this heat is exceptional and that it's not usually this hot. We know we can't say no, we've got to respect the organisers and they have to respect the riders."

RCS, who run the race, and their director, Mauro Vegni, openly thanked the riders, saying that he is glad they understand the organsiers problems and that he will always consider rider safety.

"We cut the stage length after considering several aspects such the television coverage and the heat. We realised it was better for everyone to cut the finishing circuit.”

"I'm happy that the riders understood our problems and raced because this event is an opportunity for everyone in cycling. It's important to have races here, indeed the World Championships will be held in the region in next year. Racing here is a huge opportunity for the teams who can perhaps find new sponsor here and for the UCI who will have their Gala here. If the riders understand that then we've all made a step forward. It's important that cycling moves forward and takes every opportunity it can."