Dubai to Host L’Etape by Tour de France in 2025

Dubai will be the venue for the L’Etape Dubai cycling race, presented by Tour de France, on February 2, 2025. This prestigious event, organized by Belton and Be Cool Events in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council and sponsored by Škoda Cars, is one of the most renowned races for amateur cyclists.

A World-Class Event

The inaugural edition of the race was announced at the headquarters of the Dubai Sports Council and promises to be a significant addition to the UAE’s cycling events calendar. The announcement was attended by Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General, and Maher Julfar, Executive Vice President of DWTC. The Secretary-General received a sample of the official Tour de France jersey, as well as a jersey from the Hungarian team, presented by representatives of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, who confirmed the participation of over 50 cyclists in next year’s race.

Race Components

The official L’Etape jersey featuring iconic landmarks of the city was unveiled at the press conference. The L’Etape Dubai will consist of four components over two days. On February 1, there will be a Kids Race over 300 meters and 3 kilometers, depending on the participants’ age and skill level, followed by a Family Ride over 20 kilometers starting at 9:30 AM. On February 2, the main L’Etape Dubai race will cover 110 kilometers, and “The Ride” will cover 60 kilometers, with both races starting at 6:00 AM.

Dubai Joins the Global Race Circuit

Dubai is now one of the newest cities added to the global list of locations hosting this event, which was launched in France in 1993. The L’Etape race first took place outside France in 2015 and has since expanded to new cities across continents, now reaching the Middle East with the Dubai race.

This unique event will bring together thousands of cycling enthusiasts from the UAE and around the world.

Support for Cycling in Dubai

Ali Omar Al Balooshi, Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, commented: “We are excited to host this major global event in Dubai, one of the key cities that supports sports in general and cycling in particular. Hosting such an event is not new for Dubai, given the numerous international sports events we have hosted throughout the year in collaboration with various federations and organizers. Cycling receives significant support from our wise leadership in Dubai due to its many health and vitality benefits. We also benefit from organizing such important events, considering sports tourism and the sports industry.”

The Dubai government recently announced the addition of new cycling tracks in the Hatta area, extending over 53 kilometers, in addition to several other existing facilities across the emirate, including Al Marmoom Reserve, beaches, parks, and various city landmarks.

Ali Omar Al Balooshi added: “The tracks will be carefully selected to allow thousands of participants to enjoy cycling in the most beautiful areas and destinations across Dubai. These will include unique cultural, tourist, and residential landmarks, making participation in the race a memorable experience and a significant milestone in the participants’ achievements.”

The race will pass by the most famous tourist and cultural landmarks of Dubai.

Registration for the various races continues in three stages. Participants can register by September 30 for The Ride and by December 31 for The Race.

Source: Arabian Business