Dubai’s roads filled with cyclists once again as the 16th Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge returned to Expo City Dubai.
More than 3,000 riders registered across the weekend’s events, including 1,700 in the main 96.4km race. The event was held in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and served as a qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.
The main race started and finished at Expo City. Riders passed landmarks including Global Village, DMCC and Jumeirah Lake Towers, before heading through Tilal Al Ghaf, The Springs and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
More than 250 elite riders took part in the Gran Fondo qualifier. Danil Konotop won the men’s race in 1:57:36. Marco Lumanog and Rashid Abdulla Suwaidan finished just one second behind, both clocking 1:57:37.
Junior Riders
In the women’s elite race, Olivija Baleisyte crossed first in 1:57:54. Maddison Black and Alina Abramenka followed a second later.
Each elite winner received AED 10,000 from a total prize pot of AED 36,000.
The event also formed part of the Aster BIG 5 series. Harrison Webb and Helle Bachofen Von Echt claimed the overall male and female titles, with combined times of 5:05:14 and 5:06:27 across the series.
In the Open category, Webb again led the men home in 1:57:37, while Von Echt finished the course in 1:58:04. Renato Sambrano and Tania Rodrigues topped the Vets category, finishing in 1:57:59 and 1:58:05 respectively.
Family Fun Ride
A new Family Fun Day was introduced this year at Al Forsan Park. It included the Junior Rides and a Family Fun Ride, bringing younger cyclists into the weekend programme. The Eat Well Live Well Village hosted post-race activities for riders and spectators.
One participant from the Family Fun Ride won a Soueast S06 car in a prize draw. Other prizes included a Polygon bicycle and Woom bikes for junior riders.
The Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is the longest-running cycling event in the region. As a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier, the top 25 per cent of finishers earned a place at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
For Dubai’s amateur riders and visiting competitors alike, it remains one of the standout dates on the local sporting calendar.
