Dubai Set To Welcome Tour De France’s L’Etape Cycling Race In 2025

Dubai will host the L’Etape Dubai cycling race, presented by the Tour de France, on 2nd February 2025. Organised by Belton and Be Cool Events with the Dubai Sports Council and sponsored by Škoda Cars, this event is a significant addition to UAE's cycling calendar. The race offers participants a taste of the Tour de France's rich history.

The inaugural edition was announced at a press conference at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters. Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, received a specimen of the official Tour de France jersey. Representatives from the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce confirmed over 50 cyclists would participate next year.

L’Etape Dubai will feature four race components over two days. On 1st February, a Kids Race will start at 9:00 GST, covering distances of 300 metres and 3 km based on abilities. A Family Ride will follow at 9:30 over a distance of 20 km. The main races on 2nd February include L’Etape Dubai (110 km) and The Ride (60 km), both starting at 6:00.

The press conference also unveiled the official jersey for L’Etape Dubai, showcasing key landmarks of Dubai. Ali Omar Al Balooshi, Director of Sports Events at Dubai Sports Council, expressed excitement about hosting this global event in Dubai. "We are pleased to organise this major global race in Dubai," he said.

Dubai joins other global cities hosting L’Etape races since its launch in France in 1993. The race first expanded outside France in 2015 and has since reached various continents, now including the Middle East through Dubai. This event is expected to attract thousands of cycling enthusiasts from around the world.

Christian Prudhomme, Director-General of Tour de France, highlighted the unique experience L’Etape Dubai offers cyclists. "The L’Etape Dubai is the only sporting event where cyclists will feel like real champions," he said. He emphasised that participants would experience the passion and excitement akin to the Tour de France.

Infrastructure and Community Engagement

The Government of Dubai recently announced new cycling tracks in Hatta, extending over more than 53 km. These tracks add to existing facilities across the emirate, including Al Marmoom Reserve and various parks and beaches. Ali Omar noted that these racetracks would allow participants to enjoy cycling through beautiful areas and landmarks in Dubai.

A race village will be set up at the start and finish line venue, offering fun activities for families. Preliminary training and qualifying races will begin in September. Registration for The Ride (60 km) closes on 30th September, while registration for The Race (110 km) continues until 31st December.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with L’Etape Dubai. "We are very pleased to confirm our partnership with L’Etape Dubai," he said. This collaboration aims to spread the love of cycling throughout the Middle East.

Jozef Pokalovic from Be Cool SRA highlighted their motivation for hosting L’Etape in Dubai. "Cycling is thriving in the Middle East," he said. Fayrouz Al Qadi added that they expect more than 2,000 participants from around the world.

The announcement also featured Ali Omar’s remarks on sports tourism benefits from such events. He stated that cycling enjoys great interest due to its health benefits and active community engagement supported by leadership in Dubai.

The course details and other aspects will be revealed later this year at another press conference. Antoine Quiers from Amaury Sport Organisation noted that bringing this event to Dubai was driven by growing interest in cycling and famous landmarks.

This event promises an unforgettable experience for all participants as they cycle through iconic cultural and tourist spots in Dubai.

With inputs from WAM