Dubai: British legend Sir Bradley Wiggins will be among the marquee riders at the next edition of the Dubai Tour in the first week of February.
Wiggins, who finished his association with Team Sky at the end of this season, is among those confirmed to ride in the Dubai Tour when it is held from February 3-6. The 35-year-old began his cycling career on the track, but has successfully made the transition to the road to be among a few cyclists to gain elite level success in both forms of professional cycling.
“I am really excited to be racing with my team in the 2016 Dubai Tour. It’s a really exciting event and we are looking forward to competing with some of the best teams in the world,” Wiggins was quoted by race organisers RCS.
“Each year we try to bring in a new vibe in this race. This is not just about cycling, but also about tourism and showcasing Dubai and the UAE to the whole world. We have achieved so many of our goals through just two years of the Dubai Tour, and the presence of a legend like Bradley Wiggins will further consolidate our position on the world stage,” Saeed Hareb, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) told Gulf News.
Details of the Dubai Tour were announced on Sunday by Hareb, Race Director Huraiz Bin Huraiz and Lorenzo Giorgetti, Sports and Events Ceo at tour organisers RCS.
Now in its third year, the Dubai Tour will have 16 invited teams including Astana, BMC, Dimension, Etixx-Quick Step and Lampre-Merida, who will race over four stages over a total distance of 761 kms.
Born to an Australian father and British mother in Ghent, Belgium, Wiggins was raised in London from the age of two. Nicknamed ‘Wiggo’, he has won a total of six gold medals at the track world championships and another three gold at two Olympic Games – individual pursuit in 2004 in Athens and two golds in the individual and team pursuit in Beijing four years later.
The year 2012 was one of his most successful years as Wiggins won the Paris-Nice and became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France and the time trial at the London Olympics. The honours followed, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment was his knighthood at the 2013 New Year honours.
Further records tumbled as Wiggins won gold in the time trial at the 2014 Road World Championships and in June this year he set a new hour record with a distance of 54.526 kms. Next year will be a crucial year for the British cycling legend as he sets his sights on adding to his Olympic tally by competing at the Rio de Janiero Games.
Main sponsors such as the Commercial Bank of Dubai, Emirates, RTA and Dubai Health Authority will be joined by stage sponsors Nakheel, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Dubai Sport, Audi Al Nabooda, Castelli, Giant, Wolfi’s Bike shop and Elliptigo.
DETAILS
Dates: February 3 to 6
Stage 1 (February 3): Fujairah Stage
Stage 2 (February 4): Nakheel Stage
Stage 3 (February 5): The Westin Stage
Stage 4 (February 6): The Burj Stage
JERSEYS
Blue Jersey (sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai): For General Classification
Red Jersey (sponsored by Emirates): For Fastest Sprinter
White Jersey (sponsored by RTA): Best Young Rider Classification
UAE Flag Jersey (sponsored by DHA) For Intermediate Sprint Classification
-Ends
