H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, last night joined a cycle race at Yas Marina circuit to promote the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour, a four-stage professional cycling race to be launched tomorrow at the desert Qasr Al Sarab Resort in the Western Region.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, who is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, shared the course with a group of officials and British cycling champion Mark Cavendish, in the free weekly.

Hosting the four-day international cycling event in Abu Dhabi marks the overall progress that the United Arab Emirates is experiencing.

Sheikh Nahyan said, "Thanks to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates takes great interest in promoting continuous development and prosperity. With support from Sheikh Khalifa, the country harnesses all its capabilities and is a world leader in innovation and excellence."

He praised His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for supporting sports and the efforts to make Abu Dhabi a premier cycling destination.

Three stages of the 555-km Abu Dhabi Tour- the Liwa Stage (175km), the Capital Stage (130km) and the Yas Stage (110km) – are sprints.

The event is being organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with the UAE Cycling Federation.

Source: wWAM