Under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai organised desert cycling races for women and men on 31 January and 1 February as part of the Al Salam Cycling Championship.

The races were held at Al Marmoom Reserve in the Saih Al Salam area and formed part of the championship’s tenth season, held under the theme “Ten Years of Achievements and Success.” The Higher Organising Committee designed a technically demanding course requiring competitors to race on mountain bikes while wearing protective gear and carrying essential equipment, reflecting the challenges of desert terrain.

The combined prize pool for the two races totalled AED455,000, which organisers described as the largest prize offering for desert cycling races worldwide.

The women’s desert race covered a distance of 20 kilometres and included two categories: Emirati women and an open category for all nationalities. The men’s race followed the next day over 52 kilometres and featured two special challenges with dedicated cash prizes.

Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said the championship continues to prioritise inclusivity by offering competitions that engage a broad range of participants while aligning with developments in the sport. He noted that desert cycling presents distinct physical and technical demands compared to road racing.

The desert races marked the fourth and fifth events of the championship’s tenth season. Earlier events included the “Security and Safety” race for Emirati cyclists organised in cooperation with Dubai Police, the Ruler of Dubai Court Race held for the second consecutive year, and a women’s race at Al Marmoom Reserve featuring international competitors.

The championship also includes a photography contest organised in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, with winners to be announced at the conclusion of the season.

The Al Salam Cycling Championship is organised in cooperation with several strategic partners, including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Sports Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office, the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Channel, and Dubai Film.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.