Dubai: Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali hopes to use the Dubai Tour 2015 as a launchpad to further his ambitions in the world of cycling.
After opening his season with the inaugural edition of the Dubai Tour earlier this year, Nibali went on to win the prestigious Tour de France ahead of a host of top riders including arch-rival Alberto Contador.
One of the first to confirm his presence for the next edition of the Dubai Tour, which will be held between February 4 and 7, the Italian is relishing the prospect of renewing his rivalry with Contador and furthering his status as one of the top riders on the circuit.
“Next year will be a huge challenge for a lot of top riders including Contador. I want to use Dubai to launch my campaign. This will be an interesting race due to the change in the route, but I still feel it will be a good way to start the season strong again,” Nibali, who turns 30 on Friday, told media at the formal announcement of Dubai Tour 2015 at the Westin hotel on Monday.
“It will be a good way to get into shape by starting in Dubai. After that I will participate in [the Tour of] Normandy and then look at other international races on the calendar.
“Dubai was a tough race and the time trial was tough. But in the next race there will be a finish on a climb and that new element will be challenging as well.”
The Astana Team star, who will return to training on November 24, is one of just six riders who have won the three Grand Tours in their career — the Veulta a Espana (2010), the Giro d’Italia (2013) and the Tour de France earlier this year.
“The wins in the Vuelta and Giro were important successes, but the Tour de France was the ideal way to pay back for all the sacrifices I have made,” he said.
“I don’t know who can be the most successful rider next season. But it is just the race and the road that will tell us this.”
The President of the Organising Committee, Saeed Hareb, was delighted Nibali had committed to competing in the Dubai Tour, which was won this year by American Taylor Phinney, of the BMC team.
“It means a lot to have a champion like Nibali. Not only does the Dubai brand value go up, but we further consolidate our place as the sports destination of the world,” Mohareb said.
The event, which is organised by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in partnership with RCS Sport, has been upgraded from 2.1 to 2.HC by the UCI — the world governing body for cycling — putting it in the second highest category.
All four stages will start from the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) before finishing at an iconic location in Dubai — Union House, Atlantis, The Palm, Hatta Dam and Burj Plaza in Downtown.
A few alterations have been made to the route, with no time trial in 2015 and an increase in the total distance from 418km to 663km. The new route will see three flat stages with potential bunch sprint finishes and one hilly stage with medium difficulty climbs and a tough final climb to the finish. Sixteen teams of eight riders each will take part.
Hareb, who was confirmed as the new DSC General Secretary on Sunday, said: “The first edition was a huge success and we managed to achieve a lot of the goals we had set. I am confident we can go a step further and make this race one of the most favoured among riders across the world.”
Lorenzo Giorgetti, CEO of RCS Sport and Events, added: “This event has demonstrated from its first year its potential, becoming one of the most important races on the international cycling calendar in terms of riders and media exposure. The next event will be even bigger and better.”
Commercial Bank of Dubai will sponsor the general classification leader’s blue jersey, while the other official sponsors are the RTA, Dubai Sports Channel, Emirates, Dubai Eye, Castelli, Leonardo QP, Doublet, Vittoria, Wolfi’s Bike Shop, The Cycle Hub, Revolution Cycle and Ride Bike Shop.
