The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
A Mountain, a Fort and the Finish
Rob Howard / 17.12.2008
The start at 06.00 was in the dark and as the teams laboured uphill the sun rose and the surroundings gradually came into view – not that anyone was looking at the views! Team Desert Islands, who have lead throughout, made their move to the front to stamp their authority on the stage and let their challengers know it would be hard to take the lead or the title off them. Their most likely challengers were Team NZ, but the all-Kiwi team could not keep up on the road, and their one minute deficit was stretched to nearly 4 by the time they reached the top.
It was Nike who were closest to Desert Islands and of the leading contenders Wilsa Helly Hansen had to be the unluckiest. Craig Stevens suffered a puncture about a third of the way up the climb and for the last 3km he rode on the rim to make it to the finish. They had been just 2 seconds apart from Sport 2000 Vibram Outdry overnight and this setback was sure to cost them any chance of third place. Sport 2000 were the 3rd fastest team on the ride and were finishing the event strongly.
There were surprising gaps between the finishers at the top of the 12km ride with its 1000m climb – this stage separated teams more than 107km of desert trekking! All were given a 10 minute time-out at the top to rack their bikes in the trucks and check them over (they would be used again later) and to catch their breath. Then it was time to set off along the path that follows the ridge of Jebel Hafeet for the mountain trekking stage. It was immediately clear the terrain would be very rugged, with sharp, loose rock under almost every footfall.
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