Unipublic suspends Abu Dhabi Race of Champions

Spanish race organiser Unipublic has decided to suspend the 2007 Abu Dhabi Cycling Race of Champions citing "repeated failure to meet contractual obligations" by local contractors Kenzay LLC as the reason for its decision. The inaugural edition was scheduled to be held from November 6-9 in the United Arab Emirates and had attracted several ProTour teams with its unprecedented first prize of one million US dollars.

In a statement issued on Friday, Unipublic, which also organises the Vuelta a España, said it contracted Kenzay in early 2007 after a recommendation from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority to help with local production of the event. This included setting up crowd barriers, obtaining police permits and searching for sponsors and financial backing, obligations which Unipublic says have not been met.

Unipublic insists it has met its own contractual obligations as regards the race, and said it remains interested in organising the event in future years once local infrastructure is fully in place.