New international 67km race announced for 2014

Dubai Sports Council organises the annual Dubai International Sports Conference Dubai’s Sports Council has announced it will host a new international 67 kilometre cycling race in the Emirate, part of a “long-term goal” to develop the sport in the United Arab Emirates [UAE] .
 Speaking to cyclingnews.com, Head of Marketing at the Dubai Sports Council Rashid al-Kamali said: “Dubai always does things in the best manner possible and I assure you that the Dubai Tour will be a force. It will be something greater than what's been seen anywhere else in the world.”
 "This is to show that we're serious about cycling,” al-Kamali continued. “Our objective is to create champions here in the UAE and we'd like to create the next Alberto Contador, Ryder Hesjedal or Vincenzo Nibali out of the UAE. That's our long-term goal."
 Chairman of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority [RTA] Mattar Al Tayer announced the 67 kilometre course was also part of a comprehensive cycling infrastructure, covering all areas of Dubai, as well as new training and sports facilities.
 Professional cycling has spread fast to the region after Qatar won the right to host the 2016 World Road Cycling Championships in September last year, beating a competitor bid from Norway.
The final dates and details of the race are yet to be announced.