Dubai’s Al Marmoom Reserve set for high-stakes Al Salam desert cycling races
Women and men to compete as tenth season offers Dh455,000 prize pool
DUBAI – Under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai will stage Desert Races for Women and Men this weekend as part of the Al Salam Cycling Championship.
The women’s race will take place on Saturday, 31 January, followed by the men’s race on Sunday, 1 February. Both events form part of the Championship’s landmark tenth season, held under the slogan ‘Ten Years of Achievements and Success’.
The desert races will be held at Al Marmoom Reserve in the Saih Al Salam area, a location known for its expansive terrain and demanding environmental conditions. Designed by the Championship’s Higher Organising Committee, the racecourse is intended to test riders’ endurance, technical skills and tactical awareness, offering a markedly different challenge from conventional road cycling events.
Challenging course
All competitors will race on mountain bikes and are required to wear helmets and cycling goggles, as well as carry all necessary equipment throughout the event. The course features varied terrain and natural obstacles that demand a high level of physical preparation and swift decision-making. Organisers have emphasised that only well-prepared cyclists will be able to maintain pace while navigating the technical sections of the route.
The women’s desert race on Saturday will cover a distance of 20 kilometres and will be contested in two categories: Emirati women and an open category for riders of all nationalities. The format is designed to encourage broad participation while maintaining a competitive edge, reflecting the Championship’s long-standing focus on inclusivity and performance.
Men’s showdown
The men’s race on Sunday will extend across 52 kilometres and will include two special challenges along the course, each offering dedicated cash prizes. These challenges are expected to add an extra strategic dimension to the competition, rewarding riders who can combine endurance with precise timing and tactical execution in the demanding desert environment.
The total prize money for the two races stands at Dh455,000, making it the largest prize pool of its kind for desert cycling races anywhere in the world. The scale of the prize fund underlines the Championship’s growing international standing and its ability to attract elite competitors from the UAE and abroad.
Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said the Al Salam Cycling Championship continues to reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum by offering a diverse range of cycling competitions. He noted that desert races present a unique test compared to road events, requiring exceptional stamina and rapid problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles efficiently.
Al Falasi added that the strong turnout and high registration levels for the desert races highlight both the rising standards of participating cyclists and the Championship’s reputation as a key destination on the regional and international cycling calendar.
Al Salam Cycling Championship
The upcoming desert races represent the fourth and fifth events of the Championship’s tenth season. The season opened with the ‘Security and Safety’ race, dedicated exclusively to Emirati cyclists and organised in cooperation with Dubai Police. This was followed by the Ruler of Dubai Court Race, held for the second consecutive year, which began at the Court of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and concluded at Al Marmoom Reserve, featuring elite professional cyclists from multiple nationalities.
Earlier this month, the Championship also staged its women’s race at Al Marmoom Reserve, where several of the world’s leading female cyclists competed, further strengthening the event’s international profile.
Alongside the racing programme, the Championship is hosting the Al Salam Cycling Championship Photography Contest in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. Winners of the contest will be announced and honoured at the conclusion of the Championship.
The Al Salam Cycling Championship is being organised in cooperation with a wide range of strategic partners, including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Sports Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office, Dubai Sports Channel, the UAE Cycling Federation as general referee, Dubai Film, and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award.