Abu Dhabi has emerged victorious in its bid to host two prestigious Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) events. The emirate will be the venue for the UCI Road World Championships in 2028 and the UCI Track World Championships in 2029, solidifying its reputation as a global sports capital.
The events, organized by UCI, will witness the participation of the world’s top road and track cyclists in 2028 and 2029, respectively.
H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, lauded the success in securing the hosting rights and emphasized the unwavering support and interest of the wise leadership in promoting sports, particularly cycling, in Abu Dhabi. The efforts of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, have contributed significantly to making the city a preferred destination for sports enthusiasts. Abu Dhabi’s exemplary sports infrastructure also positions it as a leading organizer of top-level international sporting events.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, attended the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Scotland and received two Abu Dhabi-branded jerseys, acknowledging the emirate’s successful bid for hosting the future UCI world championships.
The announcement of hosting the two UCI World Championships comes at a time when Abu Dhabi is rapidly evolving into a cycling hub, evident in its robust infrastructure and the growing number of events hosted. Last year, Abu Dhabi hosted the 2022 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships as part of the Bike Abu Dhabi Week.
As the only Asian city with the UCI Bike City label, Abu Dhabi also proudly hosts the UAE Tour, the sole global tour event in the Middle East.
David Lappartient, UCI President, expressed confidence in Abu Dhabi’s capabilities as a host, citing the emirate’s rich experience in organizing major sports events and its continuous efforts to enhance cycling infrastructure. Following the successful UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in 2022, he believes Abu Dhabi will excel in welcoming the world’s finest road cyclists in 2028 and track cyclists in 2029.
