Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo 2024 Set To Begin This Saturday With AED 2 Million Prize Pool

The Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo 2024, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is set to commence on Saturday at 6 am. The race will cover a 150 km route, beginning at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba and concluding at the Al Ain Cycling Track. This event is one of the UAE's major sporting highlights, with AED2 million in prize money.

The event aims to boost Abu Dhabi's reputation for hosting top-tier cycling competitions. It also emphasises cycling's benefits for health. The race village opened on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club on Al Hudayriat Island. Participants received their bags and race essentials there.

A brochure detailing race specifics, rules, starting points, and water stations was released by the organising committee. On Friday, they will meet with teams to discuss logistics and technical services. The committee has also introduced a category specifically for UAE citizens.

Inclusive Participation Categories

Starting procedures will begin at 6 am, categorised by age group, speed, individual, and team participation. Talal Al Hashemi from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council stated that this race supports Abu Dhabi's goal of becoming a global cycling hub. "The Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo is a key driver for the ambitions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to become the leading global destination for cycling," he said.

Fabrizio D'Amico from RCS Sports & Events highlighted increased international involvement this year. "This year, we are proud to welcome a wider international participation," he noted. The new Nationals category is expected to draw more interest than in 2023.

The event is part of the broader Bike Abu Dhabi platform, which hosts events throughout the year to support long-term goals for cycling prominence in the emirate.

With inputs from WAM