Spinneys UAE and UAE Cycling Federation Announce Official Partnership

The United Arab Emirates Cycling Federation and Spinneys UAE have announced today an official partnership, in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council, to continue the growth of the sport of cycling in the UAE.

The new partnership between the UAE Cycling Federation and Spinneys UAE will promote the highest standards of safety, well-being and sporting integrity, and serve as a commitment to growing the sport of cycling across the United Arab Emirates, as well as closely aligning with high profile events including the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge.

On the official launch of the new partnership, His Excellency, Saeed Harreb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council said “It is with great pleasure that we reveal today this strong, new partnership between Spinneys UAE and the UAE Cycling Federation. The sport of Cycling in Dubai is one which has grown significantly in popularity of the last decade, and we look forward to seeing how the sport continues to expand and evolve in the city of Dubai as a result of this important alliance.”

Under the new partnership, the UAE Cycling Federation and the Union CyclisteInternationale Gran Fondo has revealed that the 2022 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge will be included in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series calendar for 2022. The 92km road race, in its 12^th year, will join sanctioned events from across the globe in the 28-race World Series for 2022, with the top 20% of cyclists qualifying for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, which will be held in Italy in September.

During the press conference, the official partnership agreement was signed between the UAE Cycling Federation and the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Cycle Challenge, under which the event and all its activities will be organized in accordance with the requirements of the UAE and International Cycling Federations. Through aligning in key events including this year’s Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, the partnership aims to support the growth of the sport of cycling and expand its presence in the United Arab Emirates.

The new partnership aims to enhance health, safety and sports integrity standards, confirming the partners’ commitment to developing cycling across the country according to the highest standards, in addition to unite efforts in hosting and organizing major sports competitions, including the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycling Challenge.

Following the official announcement of the partnership and this year’s the UCI Gran Fondo Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge race for 2022,His Excellency, Mansoor JumaBuosaiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Spinneys UAE and continue to support the growth of our great sport across the nation. The addition of the locally beloved Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge to the UCI Gran Fondo World Series is an important moment in the sport’s development in the UAE, and it is our aim to continue to provide our passionate cycling community here in the UAE with fitting platforms to enjoy one of the world’s greatest sports.”

During the official announcement, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, and His Excellency, Mr. Mansour JumaBuosaiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation, presented the coveted yellow Leaders’ jerseys to the current leaders of this year’s DUBAI BIG 5 challenge, Gregory Simpson and Babita Khatri. Following their strong performances in the opening rounds of this year’s competition, Simpson and Khatri will wear the yellow jersey from the front of the peloton in this year’s final race in the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge main event on 19^th February.

This year’s event will feature the main UCI Gran Fondo Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge alongside the new Live Well Outride, a shorter 40km course to allow new members of the UAE’s cycling community to participate in the local classic on 19^th February.

Stewart Howison, Race Director of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, said: “We’re thrilled to officially reveal the new race routes for the 2022 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge and the new Live Well Outride race for 2022. There are many incredible sights to take in along the new routes for this year’s races, including Dubai’sEmirates Hills and Jumeirah Islands, the Montgomery Golf Course and the crown jewel of the Expo2020 Dubai site. It’s something we’ve been waiting eagerly to share, and we are now counting down the days to an incredible weekend of sporting action for cyclists of all ages and stages in our passionate community here in the UAE.”

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys UAE, added: “It’s been a phenomenal year of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, with record sign-ups throughout the DUBAI BIG 5 competition, the junior rides and the return of our new look Eat Well Live Well Village. The exciting addition of The Live Well Outride is something we are greatly looking forward to at Spinneys, and we are sure that this year’s race weekend will be an unmissable moment in the event’s history.”

Cyclists from across the UAE can look forward to the full event weekend starting on Friday 18^th February with the 2022 Prime Medical Center Junior Rides for young cyclists aged 2-12years in a safe, spectator-oriented environment for families to enjoy. Registration is still open for the evening event on Friday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City, with more information available at https://cyclechallenge.ae/.

In the main event on Saturday 19^th February, the UCI Gran Fondo 2022 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge will see cyclists take on the 92km road course with route highlights including the crown jewel location of Dubai, the Expo2020 Dubai site before crossing the finish line at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City.

Keen cyclists can also join the action in the new Spinneys Dubai 92 Live Well Outride, with a shorter 40kmcourse to allow new riders in the UAE’s blossoming cycling community to take part in the local classic, before taking in the fan-favourite Spinneys Eat Well Live Well village post-race. Registrations for the main 92km challenge and 40km Live Well Outride race are still open, with more information on this year’s event at https://cyclechallenge.ae/

Organisers are pleased to reveal that the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge will continue its partnership with GRIT+TONIC.com for 2022, ensuring riders are well fueled with GU Energy Labs, while O.R.S Hydration Tabletswill help keep participants hydrated for the duration of the event. For top tips to improve performance ahead of the race, please visit https://gritandtonic.com/

Organisers will ensure that the necessary precautions are in place at the Prime Medical Center Junior Rides and Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge main event to ensure public wellness and a COVID-19 safe environment. More details will be shared individually with each participant closer to the events.

For registration and further information on this year’s event, please visit www.cyclechallenge.ae.