ABU DHABI // A cycling track on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi has had its first competitive event.
The First Emirati Cycle Challenge took place at Al Wathba Cycle Track, which lies on the road to Al Ain.
The ride was organised by the Sultan Hazza Al Darmaki Stables and was open to Emirati amateur riders of both sexes.
Ninety-six cyclists took part in the event on August 16, with female riders competing over 16 kilometres and men over 48km.
“We decided that because cycling here is growing very quickly, we would like to encourage people to take it up and challenge themselves to get fit and ride in a cycle race,” Sultan Al Darmaki, the challenge organiser, told the state news agency Wam.
“We are lucky that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed [Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs] has given us a beautiful cycling track to use and train on.
“Our track is 16km long but the Sheikh is already adding more to our loop track, with an extra 100km to open soon.”
The surface is very smooth and the track has solar-powered lights to help cyclists train in the cooler evening or early mornings, Mr Al Darmaki said.
“I decided a few weeks back that I wanted to thank the Sheikh and show how much we, as Emiratis, appreciate this gift,” he said.
“I thought I would host a cycle challenge for local men and women to encourage them to come out and enjoy the facilities we have.
"We focused our attention not on the already strong professional riders, but at social and relatively new cyclists. This race was to show what fun you can have at a cycle race as an amateur and that as a newcomer you too can be competitive in the sport of cycling."
Shathra Al Haijaji won the women’s, race 21 seconds ahead of Hanadi Alkabouri, while Noor Walker came third.
The men’s race was a tight finish, with Mohammed Almazrooei crossing the line just ahead of Khaled Al Muhairi and Bader Thani.
The Al Wathba Cycle Track is open to Emiratis and expatriates and is free to use.
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