https://arab.news/n8gr7
- Free-to-attend event takes place Dec. 17-21 at the city’s Nation Towers
ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in collaboration with the Union Cycliste Internationale, will host the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships later this year.
Taking place at Abu Dhabi’s Nation Towers from Dec. 17 to 21, the event returns to the city following a successful hosting of the 2022 edition.
The championships include competitions in two disciplines: BMX Freestyle (park and flatland for men and women) and trials (Women Elite, Men Elite 20 inch or 508 mm wheel size, Men Elite 26, Men Junior 20, Men Junior 26 and mixed team).
Other competitions taking place in Abu Dhabi include the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships on Oct. 26, as a part of the city’s bid to promote cycling.
In addition, on Dec. 18 and 19, the UAE capital will host the 2024 UCI Mobility and Bike City Forum, the UCI’s annual conference dedicated to the promotion of sustainable and active mobility, and cycling’s contribution to the global sustainable development agenda.
Aref Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said hosting the event reflects the “confidence” of international sports federations in Abu Dhabi’s “ability to dazzle, excel and be professional in organizing the largest global sporting events.”
The UCI’s President David Lappartient said he was “delighted” that the event is being held again in the UAE capital.
“The city provides a fitting setting for the spectacular urban disciplines of BMX Freestyle and trials, and with free entry to Nations Towers, the local population will have easy access to witness the best in the world in action.”
The popularity of cycling continues to grow in the capital following the launch of Bike Abu Dhabi in 2021, a government initiative designed to foster mobility, health and leisure.
The city currently has 300 km of dedicated cycle tracks in locations including 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.
This year’s edition will be the seventh instalment of the championships, with China (Chengdu) having hosted the first three events in 2017, 2018 and 2019, before it moved to France (Montpellier) in 2021.
Abu Dhabi staged the competition in 2022 with the UK (Glasgow, Scotland) taking over in 2023.