Dubai: UAE Team Emirates rider Yousuf Mirza hopes to inspire the next generation of Arab cyclists by becoming the first Emirati to feature in a Grand Tour.
The 28-year-old from Khorfakkan has already become the first Emirati to take part in an Olympic road race, qualifying for Rio 2016 after finishing second in the 2015 Asian Championships.
He is also the first Emirati to join a UCI World Team after signing for UAE Team Emirates in January.
However, the dream now is to secure a place on the team in one of the big three tours in cycling: the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France or Vuelta a Espana.
Making the team this year may be too advantageous for the 11-time UAE national champion — who has six road-race and five time-trial local titles — as he has only just joined the Italy-based outfit, but with hard work, he says 2018 is a possibility.
“I’m only just beginning with this team and have only had three or four races in Dubai, Oman and California, but I am improving day-by-day and I am happy with my progression,” he told Gulf News in an exclusive phone interview.
“I’m really comfortable with my teammates and they are teaching me how to lead a professional life, and I’m getting more experience.
“But it’s not immediate, I need more time to improve my results and represent the team more, but who knows, maybe by next year,” he said of breaking into the main Grand Tour team of nine.
“I’m also getting used to a new lifestyle and culture and will need more time to adapt to living in Europe, but I will try my best.”
The UAE has already gone on a major drive to promote cycling with tours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and through sponsorship of a UCI team, as well as building nationwide cycling tracks.
However, to have an Emirati in a Grand Tour would be the ultimate accelerant for the sport’s popularity locally, agrees Mirza.
“Cycling is really growing up in my country,” he said. “Football has always been our national sport and cycling has only just started, but its growing fast and it could be a big sport for the future.
“People’s mentality is changing and I hope that I can inspire more and more people to take up cycling not only in my country but abroad.
“We are always trying to search for new riders and we are working on that locally but with this team I’m sure it will be easier.”
With experience gained from riding with UAE Team Emirates, Mirza is also hoping his UAE national team results improve.
He failed to finish the Olympic road race in Rio, but will now look to go better at Tokyo 2020.
“First I need to qualify but then the target will be to be among the front runners and get better results for the UAE.
“I’m proud to be the first Emirati in a UCI team and it has given me confidence,” he added.
