Dubai: Al Salam Cycling Championship awards Dh1 million in landmark 10th year
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnesses 200km elite race featuring 289 riders from 51 nations
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed key stages of the Elite Race held as part of the Al Salam Cycling Championship, organised by the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai.
The Elite Race, also known as HH The Ruler of Dubai Court Race, formed a centrepiece of the championship’s tenth edition. The event brought together elite cyclists, senior officials and sports leaders for one of the most prominent cycling fixtures on the UAE sporting calendar.
Held on Sunday under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, the Elite Race saw Italy’s Alessandro Borgo of the Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 1 Team crowned champion after a commanding performance. The tenth edition of the championship features prize money totalling Dh1 million across multiple categories, underlining the scale and competitiveness of the event.
Elite victory
Alessandro Borgo claimed the top podium position following an intensely contested race over a 200-kilometre route. His victory earned him a cash prize of Dh200,000 after maintaining a strong pace throughout the demanding course. The race began at H.H. the Ruler’s Court and passed through some of Dubai’s most recognisable historical and cultural landmarks before concluding at the Championship Village inside Al Marmoom Reserve in the Seih Al Salam area.
Denmark’s Julius Johansen of the MyWhoosh Team finished second and received Dh150,000, while Emirati rider Abdullah Jassim Al Ali of Dubai Residence Cycling Club A secured third place, earning Dh100,000. The podium results reflected a highly competitive field featuring some of the most accomplished riders participating in the championship’s milestone edition.
In the team standings, Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 1 Team secured first place overall. Dubai Residence Cycling Club A finished second, while Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 2 Team claimed third. Grega Bole of Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 2 Team was recognised as Best Rider in the Over-40 category.
Al Salam Cycling Championship
The race recorded unprecedented participation, with 289 cyclists representing 51 nationalities across 29 teams. The scale of involvement highlighted the growing international appeal of the Al Salam Cycling Championship and its position as a key fixture within the regional cycling calendar.
Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and of the Supreme Organising Committee of the championship, noted that the race’s popularity within the cycling community continues to rise. He attributed the success of the event to the sustained support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which he said has inspired organisers and participants alike.
Mohammed bin Rashid witnesses key stages of the Elite Race (HH The Ruler of Dubai Court Race) held as part of Al Salam Cycling Championship. Alessandro Borgo of Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 1 Team crowned champion after an intensely contested race marking the tenth edition of the… pic.twitter.com/Wl6ty9Q3Pg
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 18, 2026
The official flag-off took place at His Highness the Dubai Ruler’s Court in the presence of Issa Al Mutaiwei, Deputy Director General of His Highness Dubai Ruler’s Court. Senior officials attending the start included Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; and Khalifa bin Aboud, representative of His Highness Dubai Ruler’s Court on the Organising Committee.
Iconic route
The Elite Race is widely recognised for its distinctive route, which combines physical endurance with a visual journey through the emirate. Cyclists travelled along Sheikh Zayed Road, passing landmarks such as Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future, before heading towards the desert landscape of Al Marmoom Reserve.
The route highlights Dubai’s evolution by linking its modern skyline with natural desert terrain, offering participants and spectators a unique sporting experience. Al Marmoom Reserve has increasingly become a focal point for international sporting events, reinforcing its status as a destination that combines environmental preservation with competitive sport.
Championship calendar
Held under the slogan ‘Ten Years of Achievements and Success’, the tenth edition of the Al Salam Cycling Championship began last month with the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race, organised in cooperation with Dubai Police. That race, themed ‘Safety and Security’, started from the Dubai Police Academy headquarters.
The Women’s Race is scheduled to take place on 25 January, followed by the Women’s Desert Race on 31 January. The Men’s Desert Race will conclude the championship programme on 1 February 2026.
The championship is organised in collaboration with several strategic partners, including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Sports Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office, the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, Dubai Sports Channel, the UAE Cycling Federation as general referee, and Dubai Film.