Mark Cavendish and Marcel Kittel set for first sprint clash at Dubai Tour
Strong selection of sprinters line up for the 2017 Dubai Tour, January 31 to February 4
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KG5jnW5btZjq6znke653TN-415-80.jpg)
Marcel Kittel wins the opening stage of the 2016 Dubai Tour
World-class sprinters Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) and Elia Viviani (Team Sky) are set to ride against each other for the first time in the 2017 season at the Dubai Tour, running from January 31 to February 4.
The early-season race has become a favourite for sprinters, with four of the five stages featuring flat profiles and a chance for bunch sprint victory.
German Kittel goes into the 2017 race as defending champion, with Manxman Cavendish having taken the overall win in the 2015 edition.
>>> JLT Condor’s Jon Mould claims Britain’s first road win of 2017
Although several of the top sprinters are a little way off their top form so early in the year and with major targets still a few months away, the race still offers the opportunity to claim a season-opening victory and a morale boost. The number of stages has been increased from four in previous editions to five in 2017.
Along with Cavendish, Kittel and Italian Viviani, the provisional start list also boasts the presence of German John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) and United Arab Emirates sprinter Yousif Mirza, who makes his debut for WorldTour team UAE Abu Dhabi.
British riders are well represented, with Alex Dowsett (Movistar), Jon Dibben, Tao Geoghegan Hart (both Team Sky) and Scott Thwaites (Dimension Data) taking part. British team One Pro Cycling and new Irish outfit Aqua Blue Sport also both field squads in the UCI 2.HC classified event.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
All stages start in the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), with stage four featuring the only notable climb of the race, finishing at Hatta Dam.
Dubai Tour 2017 stages
Stage one, Tuesday January 31, DIMC to Pal Jumeirah, 181km
Stage two, Wednesday February 1, DIMC to Ras al Khaimah, 186km
Stage three, Thursday February 2, DIMC to Al Aqah, 200km
Stage four, Friday February 3, DIMC to Hatta Dam, 172km
Stage five, Saturday February 4, DIMC to City Walk, 124km
Dubai Tour 2017 teams
Aqua Blue Sport
Astana
Bahrain-Merida
Bardiani CSF
BMC Racing
Dimension Data
LottoNL-Jumbo
Movistar
Novo Nordisk
One Pro Cycling
Quick-Step Floors
Team Sky
Trek-Segafredo
UAE Abu Dhabi
UAE national team
Wilier-Triestina
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish says he has 'one' opportunity left to take another Tour de France stage win
The Manxman was left frustrated after finishing 18th on stage 10
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish fined for drafting behind race car at Tour de France
Sprinter receives 200CHF sanction and points deduction after stage six
By Tom Davidson Published