DUBAI: L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France made its grand debut in the UAE this weekend, bringing together over 1,000 cycling enthusiasts, from hobby riders and amateurs to elite athletes, and recording the highest number of participants for the first edition of any amateur cycling event in the history of the UAE.
The main race, held on Sunday, Feb. 2, saw hundreds of competitors set off from Dubai Design District (D3) on a thrilling 101-km route, navigating Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) before a decisive push by Syrian national and UAE resident Ibrahiem Alrefai, along Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street (D54), delivered a first-place finish at Expo Village Park.
In total, the event featured the highest number of international competitors to have participated in the first edition of an amateur cycling race in Dubai, including over 250 Emiratis.
Alrefai secured the first-ever L’Etape Dubai title in a time of 02:17:24, followed closely by Ivan Kormshchikov, with Danil Konotop rounding out the podium.
Alrefai said: “Winning the inaugural L’Etape Dubai is an incredible honor. The course was both challenging and rewarding, and the atmosphere was fantastic with all the new cyclists, whether they were professionals or trying cycling for the first time. It was a true test of endurance, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand on the podium as the first winner of L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France.”
The female winner in the overall race was Olha Shekel with a time of 02:20:20, with Ebtissam Zayed in second position and Olivuja Balesisyte finishing third. One of the youngest female finishers was 15-year-old UAE resident Darcey Minton who took first place in the 50-km ride and was supported by race sponsor Skoda.
The event was backed by the Dubai Sports Council. The organization’s Secretary-General Saeed Hareb said: “We are pleased with the wide participation of cyclists, especially those who have come from outside the country to participate in this famous race that combines the luxury, splendor and beauty of the city of Dubai with the history, traditions and name of the most famous Tour de France race.
Hareb thanked the UAE’s leaders, attributing the success of cycling in Dubai to their continuous support.
“Dubai has become one of the most important cities in the world that supports sports in general and cycling in particular,” he said, adding that Dubai hosts international and local cycling championships throughout the year.
“February happens to be the most exciting month for cyclists as Dubai organizes a total of six cycling competitions, which (draw) the participation of thousands of cyclists of all nationalities, ages and abilities. All are keen to come to Dubai and participate in these events and benefit from the sports facilities designed according to the highest standards. These facilities include the more than 544 km (of) cycling tracks that connect most of the areas and neighborhoods of Dubai,” Hareb added.
