logo
4th Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo to take place in the emirate

4th Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo to take place in the emirate

Al Etihad03-07-2025
3 July 2025 18:29
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the 4th Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo will take place on Sunday December 21, 2025.The 2025 edition will feature a reversed route that begins in Al Ain Region and ends in Abu Dhabi, offering cyclists the opportunity to experience the nation's most scenic terrain.The 2025 race will feature an Dh2,000,000 prize pool. In total, 364 awards will be presented — 44 more compared to 2024, marking the event's continued growth and dedication to rewarding cycling excellence at all levels.Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, emphasised the race's importance as a key pillar in Abu Dhabi's journey to becoming a leading global destination for cycling.His Excellency Al Awani said, 'The Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo is a unique competitive event that brings together amateurs and professionals alike. It reflects our strategic vision to make cycling an integral part of life in the emirate.'His Excellency Al Awani added that the 4th edition marks a major shift with the race now starting in Al Ain Region and ending in Abu Dhabi, as opposed to previous editions that began in the capital.His Excellency Al Awani also highlighted that increasing the number of winners and dedicating Dh2 million in prizes underscores the council's commitment to advancing the event and strengthening its standing on the international race calendar.The race is part of the Bike Abu Dhabi platform and its ongoing annual initiatives, aimed at establishing the emirate as a global hub for cycling and supporting its long-term vision of promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles.Since its launch in 2022, the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo has earned a place on the global cycling calendar, drawing participants from around the world and showcasing Abu Dhabi's commitment to promoting healthy, sustainable lifestyles through sport.The previous edition welcomed more than 1,000 male and female cyclists from more than 70 nationalities, presenting a strong display of tolerance and coexistence, core values embraced by the UAE.
The 2025 race coincides with the Year of the Community initiative, adding a strong element of social cohesion and inclusion, and reaffirming the vital role of sport in strengthening national unity and building bridges across all segments of society.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Meet Theban Al Mheiri, a champion for UAE's athletes of determination
Meet Theban Al Mheiri, a champion for UAE's athletes of determination

Al Etihad

time19 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

Meet Theban Al Mheiri, a champion for UAE's athletes of determination

29 July 2025 01:07 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Theban Al Mheiri was on his way to the airport that day in 1994. With dreams tucked in his pocket, the then 23-year-old Emirati was supposed to travel to the US to study an English course — but fate had other plans. Al Mheiri went through a devastating car accident that left him partially paralysed with a spinal injury. His personal journey of recovery eventually turned into a lifelong commitment to empowering people of determination. Today, Al Mheiri uses his voice, experience, and influence to help others overcome challenges he once faced alone. 'After the car accident, I faced some of the biggest challenges of my life, mainly learning how to live with and overcome my disability,' he told Aletihad in a recent interview. 'It was incredibly difficult at first. But someone r eached out and helped me, and it changed everything. From that moment, I realised I needed to do the same for others in similar situations.'In the wake of his accident, Al Mheiri turned to sports not only as a path to physical recovery but as a source of purpose and empowerment. He was one of the first Emiratis to actively participate in sports for people of athletic achievements were paralleled by a rise in leadership, culminating in his role as Secretary General of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, a position he has held for the past eight taking on that title, he served in various capacities, including an administrative role at the Abu Dhabi Police and as a driving force in the Al Ain Club for the Disabled from 1999 to 2010. Through every role, his mission remained the same: to create opportunities and recognition for athletes of determination and to help society see their true potential.'I overcame my disability by embracing challenges with determination. Along the way, I've been able to help many others in the community,' he said. 'Often, they were simply waiting for someone to believe in them and extend a hand.'Al Mheiri believes it is his shared experience with people of determination that makes his support more meaningful. He understands that trust - when it comes from someone who has walked the same path - opens hearts.'People of determination are often more open to advice and support when it comes from someone who truly understands, someone who's lived a similar experience,' he explained.'There are physical and emotional challenges to adapting to life with a disability that you can't fully understand unless you've experienced them firsthand.'Supporting the Champions of TomorrowEarly on, Al Mheiri met others like himself in hospital waiting rooms and gymnasiums. He struck up conversations, built trust, and slowly began guiding others toward recovery and reinvention. His work has had a ripple effect throughout the UAE. He was instrumental in launching national programmes that enabled athletes of determination to represent the UAE on the global stage. He is determined to ensure that young athletes of determination have the needed resources, support, and belief to thrive.'We invest in our youth because they're the champions of tomorrow. It's our job to give them the opportunities they deserve,' he said. Al Mheiri believes that inclusion is a shared community responsibility.'People of determination are just like anyone else. When you give them trust and confidence, they'll show you they have so much to offer and can be a real asset to any community,' he said. 'To me, this is the true meaning of life – making someone else's life a little easier, a little brighter. That's what brings me peace.'In 2017, Al Mheiri received the prestigious Abu Dhabi Award in recognition of his contributions. He draws inspiration from the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who turned desert landscapes into lush greens through extensive environmental initiatives. Al Mheiri's daughter, Thabia, looks up to him with the same admiration. 'My father is my biggest hero,' she told Aletihad . 'I feel inspired by everything he does every day.'

Esports World Cup launches game-first social channel: EWC_Extra
Esports World Cup launches game-first social channel: EWC_Extra

Campaign ME

time4 days ago

  • Campaign ME

Esports World Cup launches game-first social channel: EWC_Extra

The Esports World Cup Foundation has launched EWC_Extra, a dedicated social channel on X and Instagram to focus on real-time coverage, community reactions and key moments from inside the arena. Built for the most passionate community across EWC's 25 tournaments, EWC_Extra is the home of play-by-play content – from tournament upsets and MVP performances to memes, creator posts and behind-the-scenes access, capturing the competition match by match. EWC_Extra joins the EWC's main channel to form a two-part content ecosystem that reflects the scale of the world's biggest esports event. While the main channel delivers human stories and cultural context, including players, teams, fans, talent and entertainment, EWC_Extra stays focused on the tournament action itself: fast, direct and esports-first. Running through August 24, Esports World Cup 2025 brings together 2,000 players and 200 Clubs to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games, for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Backed by global icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, and broadcast in 140 countries with over 7,000 hours of live content, EWC 2025 is redefining how competitive gaming is produced and experienced. Two weeks into the Esports World Cup 2025, eight Champions have been crowned and the stage has seen major upsets and dominant runs. Gen.G continued their historic streak to take the League of Legends title, Heretics won VALORANT in a dramatic reverse sweep, VK claimed Apex Legends with a final-game victory, and Redline defended their Rennsport title. GO1 delivered a shock win over favourite Xiao Hai in Fatal Fury, while Team Spirit dropped just one game on their way to the Dota 2 crown. Team Vitality went unbeaten to take the MLBB Women's Invitational. EVOS Esports triumphed in Free Fire, with 15-year-old wonderkid Rasyah securing the tournament MVP award. With more games, venues and storytelling than ever before, demand for real-time content has never been higher. In the first week alone, impressions have grown 167 per cent, video views are up 267 per cent, and fan engagement continues to rise across all channels.

There's going to be a Spartan Race at Al Ain Zoo and it looks epic
There's going to be a Spartan Race at Al Ain Zoo and it looks epic

Time Out Abu Dhabi

time4 days ago

  • Time Out Abu Dhabi

There's going to be a Spartan Race at Al Ain Zoo and it looks epic

Get ready to channel your inner warrior – Spartan Race is returning to the UAE and this time it's going wild. On October 11 and 12, 2025, the action-packed Spartan Trifecta Weekend lands at Al Ain Zoo, bringing mud, muscle and adrenaline to one of the region's most unexpected venues. That's right – your next obstacle could come with a side of zebra spotting or a giraffe in the background. The two-day event is no ordinary race. It's a full Trifecta weekend, meaning you can complete all three of Spartan's signature races – Sprint, Super and Beast – in one go. Conquer all three and you'll earn the elite Trifecta medal (plus serious bragging rights). Here's what to expect: Sprint (5K, 20 obstacles): A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time. A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time. Super (10K, 25 obstacles): A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit. A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit. Beast (21K, 30 obstacles): Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits. Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits. Kids' Races (1–3K): Little Spartans aren't left out, with age-appropriate courses for kids 4 to 14. This is the first time Spartan is setting its obstacle course inside a zoo, so expect a completely unique course layout that winds through the animal exhibits, natural trails and garden landscapes of Al Ain Zoo. The race blends world-class sport with wild scenery – and it's designed to be just as memorable for spectators as it is for athletes. Backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event builds on the UAE's growing reputation as a global hub for obstacle racing. With the annual Spartan World Championship already a highlight of the capital's sporting calendar, this new event in Al Ain adds yet another must-do weekend to the UAE's race season. If you're not racing, go cheer on the athletes, bring the kids, or just soak in the zoo-meets-obstacle energy. If you are racing, it's time to start training, folks! From Dhs236. Ail Ain Zoo. Oct 11-12. More things to do in Abu Dhabi Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names Wow, look at this line-up Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store