Motorists are warned of a series of road closures over the next few days for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycling race.

The event, which runs from Thursday until Sunday, will feature 108 competitors over a four-stage, 555-kilometre course around the emirate.

Motorists are advised to avoid roads the race will pass through and to seek alternative routes.

The event starts in Liwa in the Western Region tomorrow and some roads will be closed to traffic between noon and 5.30pm. Roads along the route will be closed and reopened in stages.

The Liwa stage starts among sand dunes surrounding the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, leading to two circuits around Liwa and the nearby oasis. The cyclists then head north for 55km towards Madinat Zayed, followed by a 15km loop of the town.

Partial road closures were announced this week by the Abu Dhabi Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee. Drivers are advised to drive safely and follow instructions, it said yesterday. Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of public relations at Abu Dhabi traffic police, urged motorists to be patient and to exercise caution on the roads this weekend. Details