September 26, 2022 11:40
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, the first edition of the “Bike Festival Abu Dhabi” will be held from November 7 to 13, 2022.
This sporting event is the latest initiative of the “BIK Abu Dhabi” platform, which was launched by His Highness in November 2021 to support the emirate’s goals and ambitions to become a leading destination in hosting global events in cycling.
Organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Abu Dhabi Bike Festival will host global cycling events, most notably the fifth edition of the Urban Cycling World Championships, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East, from 9 to 13 November. 300 participants from the elite urban cyclists around the world, to enrich the sports scene in Abu Dhabi and bring this sport closer to a wide audience of cycling enthusiasts and enthusiasts.
On November 12, the festival will witness the organization of the first edition of the “Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo” community race, on a 150 km track that connects the starting point from Bawabat Al Sharq Mall in Abu Dhabi to the arrival point in the bicycle path in Al Ain, where amateurs of this sport compete Of both sexes, prizes of up to 2 million dirhams will be awarded.
The World Urban Cycling Championship attracts a large number of fans interested in this sport in the region and around the world, with the participation of a selection of the most prominent international athletes and the best urban cyclists around the world, to compete in the BMX Freestyle and BMX Flatland races. The Hurdles Cycling Race includes elite women’s and amateur men aged 20-26 years, and elite men’s teams aged 20-26 participate in the World Hurdles Cycling Championships, and elite men and women participate in BMX freestyle racing, in addition to competitions for riders over the age of 15 for both nationalities.
On this occasion, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, thanked His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, for his generous sponsorship of the festival, indicating that the upcoming festival next November is considered an engine. Fundamental to the ambitions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to be the leading global destination for cycling, as a sports, leisure and health activity, a sustainable means of transportation, and a competitive sport for amateurs and professionals, with various types of competitions and competitions followed by millions of interested and audiences around the world.
Al Awani said: “We are proud to host the 2022 Urban Cycling World Championship for the first time in the Middle East, which enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global destination in hosting sporting events in general, and cycling events in particular.”
Al Awani praised the confidence of the International Cycling Union, especially following Abu Dhabi obtained the prestigious Cycling City logo in 2021, explaining that Abu Dhabi is looking forward to an exceptional organization by all standards for this upcoming global event, according to the best standards.
Al-Awani concluded: “The cycling community in the UAE in general, and Abu Dhabi in particular, will be on a date with the famous Gran Fondo race, which extends for a distance of 150 km, from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, with a total prize money of up to 2 million dirhams, as the race is part of the festival. BAIC Abu Dhabi and its week-long activities.
For his part, Al Nakhira Al Khaili, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, thanked His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, for his sponsorship of this sports wedding, which will witness the participation of hundreds of cycling enthusiasts from Professionals and amateurs alike in the next two entitlements.
Al Khaili said: “We are now reaping the fruits of the wise leadership’s directives, by hosting many international sporting events related to cycling, and we announce from here.. that Abu Dhabi Cycling Club will spare no effort in providing all support for the success of this sports forum, under the umbrella of the Council. Abu Dhabi Sports.
In a video statement, UCI President David Lappartian said: “We are looking forward to Abu Dhabi, the first cycling city in the Middle East and Asia, to host this year’s UCI World Championships.”
He added, “For the first time since the start of the Corona pandemic, we will once once more see riders from BMX Freestyle Racing, BMX Flatland and Hurdle Racing come together once more in this unique global championship, where Abu Dhabi will be a distinguished sports scene for this event full of excitement and suspense.” .
It is worth noting that the event will witness the organization of an events village in the Nation Towers area overlooking the Abu Dhabi Corniche, which includes a set of experiences and recreational activities rich in elements of suspense and adventure directed to all family members, with the participation of different age groups and wide segments of society.
. It includes a children’s area that offers many recreational activities including cycling on a short track circuit, a face painting workshop, and a bungee trampoline; Graffiti art with a range of street artist performances, exciting BMX shows, music performances and much more.
Source: Al Ittihad – Abu Dhabi
