2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series normal 16 teams) was spread out over a three-day period. The series' tournaments are identical to 2007–2008 and span the globe: The 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens was not a part of the 2008-09 series. Unlike the 2005 edition held in Hong Kong, the 2009 edition did not replace one of the 2008-09 series events. The World Cup was held in Dubai from March 5–7, 2009 and won by Wales. Prior to the season, the IRB announced the 12 "core teams" that would receive guaranteed berths in each event in the 2008–09 series: The one new core team was the
2014 Dubai Tour by Taylor Phinney, following his time-trial victory in the first stage. 2014 Dubai Tour The 2014 Dubai Tour was the first running of the Dubai Tour, organised by RCS Sport and the Dubai Sports Council. It was rated a 2.1 event in the UCI Asia Tour and took place between 5 February and 8 February 2014. The race consisted of four stages: an individual time trial followed by three stages suited for sprinters. Taylor Phinney won the time trial and the overall title; Marcel Kittel won the other three stages and the points jersey. 16 teams participated in the race