Al Salam Cycling Championship Opens 10th Edition With Helal Al Harbi Victory

The 10th Al Salam Cycling Championship opened with a high-profile start, attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who followed key moments of the first race. The event began under the patronage and directives of His Highness, reinforcing the championship’s status as a major community sports platform in Dubai.

The championship’s opening highlighted its role in encouraging active lifestyles and environmental awareness. Riders followed a route that passed prominent Dubai landmarks before finishing at Al Marmoom Reserve in Saih Al Salam, an area known for eco-friendly sports. The event promoted both physical wellbeing and sustainability-focused community participation.

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The first race, the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race held under the theme ‘Safety and Security’, served as the launch point for a diverse programme of competitions and community activities. The ceremonial start took place at Dubai Police Academy, with the finish line at Al Marmoom Reserve, underlining the connection between sport, safety, and public engagement.

The individual competition on the opening day produced tight results. Helal Al Harbi from ABH Cycling Team 1 secured first place with a time of 3:55:52. Teammate Rashid Al Baloushi finished second, also clocking 3:55:52. Third position went to Saeed Al Blooshi of ABH Cycling Team 2, again with 3:55:52.

Team results showed similar dominance by ABH Cycling Team 1, which was led by Sheikh Ahmad Bin Hamad Al Nuaimi. The team won the category in 11:47:35. Dubai Police 1 placed second with a time of 12:05:16, while ABH Cycling Team 2 took third, finishing in 12:05:56.

The over-40 age category added another success for ABH Cycling Team 1. Saad Al Blooshi won that segment with a time of 4:00:56. The strong performances across categories reflected the depth of local cycling talent and the competitive standard achieved during the 10th Al Salam Cycling Championship.

The first race has set the tone for an expanded calendar that stretches into early 2026. Attention now moves to the Elite Race, also titled ‘The Ruler’s Court of Dubai Race’. This event is scheduled for 18th January and will cover a demanding 200-km route.

The Elite Race will start from the Court of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai and will again finish at Al Marmoom Reserve, maintaining the championship’s link with environmental sites. The Women’s Race is scheduled for 25th January, followed by the Desert Race on 1st February 2026 as the fourth and final event.

Dubai Police, Community Role and Al Salam Cycling Championship

The opening race placed Dubai Police at the centre of the programme. The start at Dubai Police Academy was attended by His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and His Excellency Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director-General of The Private Office of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship.

The route and theme highlighted Dubai Police’s contribution to public protection and ‘safety and security’. The Academy’s involvement connected policing, education, and sport, as the institution hosted the start while the natural setting of Al Marmoom Reserve provided a contrasting finish point focused on outdoor recreation.

Al Falasi stressed the strategic importance of the Dubai Police Academy as a national institution. For more than three and a half decades, the Academy has supported the UAE’s legal, judicial, police, and security sectors. It delivers advanced knowledge and high-level training and also plays an active role in building a sporting culture.

Omair bin Juma Al Falasi expressed his utmost gratitude and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for encouraging participants in the race with his presence and for his constant support, which has helped the championship emerge as the largest community cycling event in the world in terms of diversity and prize money as it marks its 10th edition.

Al Falasi also emphasised the Al Salam Cycling Championship’s commitment to highlighting the role of community institutions given that the event enjoys widespread attention far beyond the borders of the UAE. He highlighted the cooperation with the Dubai Police Academy, a leading national institution in the UAE and the region, which for more than three and a half decades has contributed to strengthening the UAE’s legal, judicial, police, and security sectors, and played a key role in strengthening public ‘safety and security’ by imparting advanced knowledge and high-level training. He further said that the Academy, in addition to being a prominent educational, training, and research institution, also plays a distinguished role in promoting a sporting culture and ranks as one of the championship’s key success partners.

Expressing his appreciation for the efforts of all participants, Al Falasi noted that the level of competition witnessed in the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race showcased the massive public appeal of the championship in its 10th edition. It also reflected the quality of preparations and the strong desire of all competitors to earn a place on the podium.

The 10th Al Salam Cycling Championship has therefore combined elite competition, strong institutional backing, and sustainability-focused routes. With a full schedule of races ahead and extensive support from public entities, the championship continues to grow as a major cycling and community event for Dubai and the wider UAE.

With inputs from WAM