UCI Urban Cycling World Championships return to Abu Dhabi in December | Partners | Belarus News | Belarusian news | Belarus today | news in Belarus | Minsk news | BELTA
ABU DHABI, 31 October (BelTa — Emirates News Agency) — Abu Dhabi Sports
Council (ADSC), in collaboration with the Union Cycliste Internationale
(UCI), is set to host the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in
December, one of the final events in an action-packed sporting calendar
for the UAE capital.
Taking place at Abu Dhabi’s Nation Towers
from 17th to 21st December, the event returns to the city following a
highly successful 2022 edition, which captivated thousands of spectators
with competitors’ impressive range of skills.
As a
free-to-attend competition, the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World
Championships offers an ideal opportunity for people of all ages to
enjoy an action-filled day out. With the family-friendly 2024 Mother of
the Nation (MOTN) Festival held nearby along the Corniche, the chance to
experience two remarkable events is expected to attract a substantial
number of attendees.
The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships
includes competitions in BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland for men and
women) and trials (Women Elite, Men Elite 20’’, Men Elite 26’’, Men
Junior 20’’, Men Junior 26’’ and mixed team).
This competition is
one of many events set to take place in Abu Dhabi, including the 2024
UCI Cycling Esports World Championships on 26th October, as part of the
city’s commitment to promoting cycling. Additionally, on 18th and 19th
December, Abu Dhabi will host the 2024 UCI Mobility and Bike City Forum,
the UCI’s annual conference dedicated to promoting sustainable and
active mobility, alongside cycling’s contribution to the global
sustainable development agenda.
Aref Al Awani, Secretary-General
of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said, “Hosting the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling
World Championships reflects the confidence of international sports
federations and organisations in Abu Dhabi’s ability to deliver and
excel in organising major global sporting events for various sports,
thanks to its infrastructure and national talent who consistently strive
for excellence.”
UCI President David Lappartient commented,
“After an extremely successful event in 2022, I am delighted to return
to Abu Dhabi with the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships. The
city offers an ideal setting for the exciting urban disciplines of BMX
Freestyle and trials, and with free entry at Nation Towers, the local
community will have easy access to watch the world’s best in action.”
The
popularity of cycling has continued to rise in the capital following
the launch of Bike Abu Dhabi in 2021, a government initiative aimed at
advancing the emirate’s long-term cycling objectives and fostering
connections across three key elements for cycling growth: mobility,
health and leisure, and sport.
Abu Dhabi currently boasts 300km
of dedicated cycle tracks in areas such as Al Hudayriyat Island, Abu
Dhabi Corniche, Al Wathba, Qasr Al Sarab, and Yas Marina Circuit, home
of the iconic Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The development of
the sport has led to increased participation across multiple cycling
disciplines, with road and track cycling remaining popular, while BMX
Freestyle has recently attracted a significant following, bolstered by
Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in
2022.
This year’s edition will mark the seventh instalment of the
UCI Urban Cycling World Championships. China (Chengdu) hosted the first
three events in 2017, 2018, and 2019, followed by France (Montpellier)
in 2021, with Abu Dhabi hosting in 2022 and the United Kingdom (Glasgow,
Scotland) in 2023.
Abu Dhabi’s hosting of this year’s event
further cements its rapidly growing reputation as a prominent cycling
destination, both regionally and globally. Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi will
also host the 2028 UCI Road World Championships, the 2028 UCI Gran
Fondo World Championships, and the 2029 UCI Track World Championships.
