Salem bin Abdulrahman attends launch of 10th Sharjah Cycling Tour

Sharjah 24: Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler's Office, attended the launch of the 10th Sharjah International Cycling Tour on Friday afternoon. The first stage, titled "Excellence and Creativity," started at Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah and concluded at the Hanging Gardens in Kalba City, covering a distance of 132.91 kilometres.

Launch ceremony highlights

The launch ceremony began with the national anthem of the UAE, followed by performances from the Sharjah Marine Sports Club. Afterward, the Chairman of the Ruler's Office gave the starting signal, officially kicking off the race.

Race overview and participation

The total race distance is divided into five stages, which include a local tour for youth, a special race for the disabled, and a professional category. The event will run until Tuesday, January 28, with 174 cyclists from 23 countries participating. These include representatives from 29 teams and national teams from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritius, and Rwanda.

Stages of the Sharjah International Cycling Tour

The stages of the major international event will continue in the following days:

Second stage: "Central Region"
On Saturday, January 25, cyclists will cover a distance of 127 km, starting from in front of the wheat farm in Mleiha and ending at the University of Dhaid.
Third stage: "Science and Culture"
The third stage, held on Sunday, January 26, will include an accompanying race for people with disabilities (wheelchair "H" and special bicycles "C" categories) as well as the youth category. This 11.16 km race will start and end in front of the American University of Sharjah in the University City.
Fourth stage: "Eastern Region"
On Monday, January 27, cyclists will race 132.32 km, starting in front of Al Hefaiyah Lake in Kalba and finishing at the Suhub Rest Area in Khorfakkan.
Fifth and final stage: "Past and Future"
The final stage will take place on Tuesday, January 28, covering a distance of 121.87 km, starting from the Heritage Village in Al Hamriyah and ending in the Aljada area in Sharjah.

International and local team participation in the Sharjah Tour

The tenth edition of the Sharjah International Cycling Tour will feature a range of international and local teams, including:

International teams:

Savoy (France)
Burgos (Spain)
Vinny Fantini (Italy)
Wagner (Belgium)
Universe (Netherlands)
Istanbul Municipality (Turkey)
Obidos (Portugal)
OU Seven (Uzbekistan)
Rojai (Thailand)
Lee Niang Star (China)
Kenan (Japan)
Terengganu (Malaysia)
Victoria Sport (Philippines)

Local teams:

Emirates Continental Team
Abu Dhabi Cycling Club
Shabab Al Ahli Club
Khorfakkan Club
Dubai Police Team
Airwerks Team

These teams will compete across the various stages of the prestigious cycling event.

Accompanying events and tourist attractions

The Sharjah International Cycling Tour, a major global event, is not only a sporting competition but also a significant tourism event for the emirate. The tour will feature various accompanying events at the start and end of each stage, including competitions and prize presentations for the audience.

Scenic route through Sharjah's tourist attractions

As the participants compete across the five stages, they will pass through some of Sharjah’s most distinctive tourist attractions, highlighting the emirate's cultural and natural beauty.