His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today watched a part of the Dubai Stage of the third edition of the UAE Tour (21st to 27th February, 2021), the one and only World Tour cycling race in the Middle East. The race, which is organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling, attracts 140 top professional riders representing 20 teams from across the world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed expressed his happiness at the large participation of national youth as well as foreign teams in this unique sporting event in the Middle East region. He considered cycling among the most difficult and tough sports because it requires high physical fitness, patience, the effort required to go the distance, and perseverance so that the cyclist can enter and participate in such world tournaments.
He added that the selection of the UAE as host for the third edition of this global race is a testament to the nation’s youth to organize and manage high-profile sports events with such efficiency because they have a long proven record of organizing such international tournaments and competitions. The seven-day race spans a distance of 1,045km through different emirates.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department, Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council, Aref Al Awani. General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Mansoor Juma Buosaiba, Chairman of UAE Cycling Federation.
