The debut of pro cycling in Abu Dhabi is also host to the premiere of the new World Champion Peter Sagan after the Slovakian’s stunning victory in Richmond, USA. Everything is ready for the new four-stage race, starting on Thursday 8 October, and culminating with the UCI Cycling Gala award ceremony on the night of the last stage, Sunday 11 October.

As well as Sagan, the entry list further boasts the Vuelta winner, the Italian Fabio Aru, his teammate and 2014 Tour de France dominator, Vincenzo Nibali, the first riders in the 2015 UCI ranking, the Spanish Alejandro Valverde, the Belgian puncheurs and former World Champions Philippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen, the sprinters duo Elia Viviani (Italy) and Marcel Kittel (Germany), the Colombian Esteban Chaves, the Chinese Xu Gang and the 2015 discovery, Dutchman Tom Dumoulin.

This impressive parade will be assembled this afternoon at 5.00pm at the F1 Yas Marina Circuit Events Center in the company of Mr Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Mr Osama Al Shafar, President of the UAE Cycling Federation. Introduced by the Abu Dhabi Official Ambassador Mark Cavendish.

During the press conference will be also unveiled “Silent Speed”, the exclusive Abu Dhabi Tour trophy designed by Ferrari.