"The crash occurred in the neutral zone section of stage 1. VeloNews confirmed with the race organization that the race director’s car braked and caused the crash, in which four riders went down." 

( http://www.velonews.com/2018/02/news/cavendish-out-of-abu-dhabi-tour-following-stage-1-crash_457682 )

So, for the World Tour, UCI sends the peloton to a land where there are no spectators (OK a few dozen at the finish) and the race start isn't as safe as a Cat 4 race.  And funny, Cycling News has a photo captioned "Mark Cavendish makes his complaints" like he is being a wise-*** to have the nerve to complain about being concussed by a ham operated pace car.  I suppose I should give the driver a break.  It is entirely likely that the only dog outdoors that day in the entire country could well have darted in front of the car.

I guess I should just get used to the idea that to land a UCI race, all you need is enough money.  Nothing else is required.

Ben