Al Salam Cycling Championship: Women’s Race In Dubai Sets 93-Kilometre Challenge

The Al Salam Cycling Championship will stage its dedicated Women’s Race on 25 January, forming part of the event’s 10th edition held under the slogan ‘Ten Years of Achievements and Success’. The race gathers leading female cyclists from many countries, competing over a 93‑kilometre course and contesting total prize money of AED460,000 in Dubai’s Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve.

Organised by The Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai, the Championship continues to highlight the emirate’s long-term focus on sport and healthy living. The Supreme Organising Committee oversees planning for the season, which features separate road and desert events for men and women, and attracts amateur and professional riders from diverse backgrounds.

The Women’s Race route begins in front of Al Qudra Village and then continues into Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve in Saih Al Salam, one of Dubai’s main hubs for cycling and outdoor activities. The course passes several natural and heritage sites, providing changing scenery for riders and spectators while also showcasing the desert ecosystem and conservation efforts underway in the reserve.

Al Marmoom is among the world’s largest desert conservation reserves and is known for hosting rare plant and wildlife species. The Championship route there has been designed to reflect Dubai’s commitment to environmental sustainability, while offering competitors challenging terrain and spectators clear vantage points. The setting helps connect high‑level sport with long‑term protection of natural landscapes.

The Women’s Race is the third event in the 10th season of the Al Salam Cycling Championship. The calendar opened with the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race, held under the theme ‘Security and Safety’ in cooperation with Dubai Police. That event focused on local participation and underlined the role of safe cycling practices on Dubai’s roads and dedicated tracks.

The second event this season was the H.H. The Ruler of Dubai Court Race, organised for the second successive year and featuring elite professional cyclists from several nationalities. Its route ran from His Highness The Ruler’s Court to Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, linking key government locations with major sports and environmental destinations in the emirate.

The current season is scheduled to continue after the Women’s Race with the Desert Women’s Race on 31 January, followed by the Desert Men’s Race on 1 February. These desert‑focused events complete the 10th edition’s programme and further utilise Dubai’s off‑road cycling network, particularly around Saih Al Salam and the wider Al Marmoom area.

Partners supporting Al Salam Cycling Championship Women’s Race

The Al Salam Cycling Championship is organised in coordination with several strategic entities. These include Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Dubai Sports Council, Government of Dubai Media Office, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, Dubai Sports Channel, UAE Cycling Federation as general referee, and Dubai Film, which together help manage safety, logistics, coverage and regulations.

Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of The Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship, said that in line with the directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Championship places strong emphasis on supporting and empowering women across all sectors, including sports. He noted that women’s participation in competitive cycling plays an important role in advancing sports and society, highlighting the positive influence of female athletes within families and their ability to inspire younger generations to adopt healthier and more active lifestyles.

Al Falasi added that the prize money allocated for the Women’s Race is the largest in the world for cycling competitions of its kind, reflecting the Championship’s commitment to recognising excellence and motivating participants to deliver outstanding performances. He also highlighted the significant effort invested by cyclists and teams throughout the season in preparation for the Championship, which has become an annual destination for innovation, competitiveness, and sporting excellence.

The Supreme Organising Committee has also launched a photography competition linked to the Women’s Race, in cooperation with the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. Entries will document racing, landscapes and community participation. Winners are set to be announced and honoured at the end of the Championship season, adding a visual record of the 10th edition’s events and venues.

With inputs from WAM