Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has announced that the third Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo will be held on November 16, 2024. The 150 km cycling race will start in Abu Dhabi and end in Al Ain.
With a third edition prize pool of AED 2 million ($545,000), the race is one of the most important sporting events in the United Arab Emirates. It helps Abu Dhabi’s aspirations to host world-class cycling events. The fact that hundreds of cycling aficionados compete in the race serves as further evidence of the value of cycling and its contribution to enhancing public health in general.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said that, “The third edition of the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo provides a distinguished experience for cycling fans, as it brings together both amateur and professional cyclists on a long track that passes through different areas in Abu Dhabi.”
Al Awani continued that, “Since its inception in 2022, the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo has enjoyed tremendous community participation from a variety of cyclists, both male and female. The last edition in 2023 saw 1,200 participants, representing 75 nationalities living both inside and outside of the United Arab Emirates.”
Since cycling integrates mobility, health, entertainment, and sports, the Abu Dhabi government developed the Bike Abu Dhabi project with the purpose of coordinating efforts to fulfill the emirate’s long-term aims of solidifying its global place in the cycling industry.
Abu Dhabi was named a “Bike City” by the International Cycling Union in November 2021 in honor of its sustained efforts to put policies in place that promote riding as a fun competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals, as well as a healthy daily activity and more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.