Abu Dhabi: Three of the UAE’s top cycling names are gearing up to join road race legend and event ambassador Mark Cavendish for the inaugural Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Classic, taking place on December 3, 2017.
Decorated cyclists Roberto Ferrari, Manuele Mori and Yousuf Mirza (the UAE’s fastest cyclist) will join a field of 200 riders who will compete in the 175-kilometre race, hosted by Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Inspired by the iconic races of Europe, the star-studded peloton will cycle from Abu Dhabi to the beautiful Garden City in the Classic.
Marking a real first for the UAE, the event will celebrate the huge surge in popularity for the sport in the UAE, while also firmly placing Abu Dhabi on the map for both professional and amateur cycling.
“I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi, that’s why I’m even more excited to have the opportunity of being there and enjoying the city,” said Ferrari. “I raced three times in the UAE in my career and I always enjoyed the experience: the atmosphere is always great, and I noticed that the attention towards cycling is getting greater and greater.”
Mori too was pleased to be a part of the race saying, “I’m really looking forward to race in the inaugural edition of the ADAA Classic, this is an additional key moment in a cycling season which saw me and my team mates from the UAE Team Emirates setting important steps in the cycling history of the UAE.”
Alongside the professional race, the Classic will also incorporate the Daman ActiveLife Family Cycling Festival, which will take place at the finish of the Classic in Al Ain, in the stunning surroundings of Al Jahili Park. The festival will work to promote health and fitness by providing families with the opportunity to cycle together on 800m circuits for free.
