Following on from last Friday’s inauguration of the new Dubai Cycling Course plus initial details of the Tour of Dubai planned for 2014, Giro d’Italia organisers RCS Sport have inked a provisional intention to help run the new race.
The Italian company and Dubai Sports Council yesterday signed a Memorium of Understanding, setting out the goal of finalising a deal this year to organise the event from 2014 onwards.
The arrangement makes it almost certain that RCS Sport will play a fundamental part in running the race, providing it goes ahead, thus boosting its finances in what is otherwise a testing economic time for organising cycling events.
“We are really happy and proud that Dubai and Dubai Sport Council have seen RCS Sport as potential partner to organise this great event,” said Michele Acquarone, RCS Sport Managing Director, in response. “We have found a very competent counterpart, who fully understands which is the great potential behind cycling.”
The Dubai deal brings to mind the similar arrangement French company ASO has had in recent years in relation to the Tours of Qatar and Oman. The Tour de France organiser plays a fundamental part in running those two middle east
Plans to hold the race were unveiled after two unusual events held on Friday. Alberto Contador was first in a three-up one kilometre race against Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Giro d’Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin – Sharp), the Team Saxo Tinkoff rider winning the sprint to the line.
World time trial champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma Quick Step) was also present and was involved in a different event. The German went up against a racehorse over the same distance but lost out to his four-legged rival.
Their presence helped earn media attention for the planned new event, with the riders being positive about the thoughts of racing there. “I think it'll be a beautiful race,” said Contador. “They could include a team time trial, an individual time trial and of course for the sprinters there are lots of roads.”
RCS Sport today announced wildcards for the Giro d’Italia, Milan Sanremo, Strade Bianche and Tirreno Adriatico. Those races will take place in the first half of 2013, but the company will also work on plans for the new race in that timeframe and beyond.
According to Dubai Sports Council Secretary General Doctor Ahmed Al Sharif, the collaboration will be crucial in ensuring the new race begins at a high level. “This agreement with RCS Sport comes in an attempt to reinforce the efforts of the Council in organizing Dubai Tour as per international standards,” he said, “making it an international race from the off, and making all cyclists look forward to participating in it.”