Safiya secures double victory as UAE National Cycling Champion

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

UAE Team ADQ announces another triumph as Safiya Alsayegh, the rising Emirati cycling star, clinched victory in the ITT UAE National Championship; Safiya's remarkable performance in the 20 km race, held in the Nazwa region, solidifies her position as the undisputed Emirati women's cycling champion.

Fresh off her recent road race victory in Sharjah, Safiya once again demonstrated her unparalleled skill and dedication, while Zahra Hussain of the UAE Development Team secured the silver medal in the same race. Safiya and Zahra's success reflects UAE Team ADQ's commitment and progress in nurturing local talent and promoting women's cycling in the region.

Internationally and at the recent UCI races, UAE Team ADQ continued to deliver outstanding results; in the Spanish Grand Tour, La Vuelta Femenina, Karljin Swinkels, the Dutch rider, secured the "Queen of the Mountains" title for six stages in a row. The "Queen on the Mountains" title is awarded to the first rider of the peloton to achieve the highest position over designated climbs each day. This was followed by Grand Prix du Morbihan and La Classique Morbihan victories in France for Silvia Persico and Eleonora Gasparrini, respectively, and a triple win in Gran Premio della Liberazione de Roma.

Melissa Moncada, President of UAE Team ADQ, said: "Safiya's dual triumph at the UAE National Championships highlights her remarkable talent and steadfast commitment to cycling, solidifying her status as a prominent champion for the UAE. We trust that Safiya's accomplishments will serve as a source of inspiration for young women to embrace cycling and reap the benefits of UAE Team ADQ's ecosystem. Additionally, the team's consistent success in Europe week after week, securing gold, silver, bronze, and special jerseys, is a compelling example of determination and inspiration for all of us."

Safiya, UAE Team ADQ rider, said: "I am immensely grateful for the support of UAE Team ADQ and my team members, who have inspired me to work hard and pursue my dream of representing the UAE globally,"

"I am more motivated than ever to continue pushing the boundaries of women's cycling. I hope that my participation at this level of the sport will enable me to influence and inspire others to pursue cycling, especially since there is now an established pathway through the Emirati Talent Program. I have a message for young girls who love cycling and want to make a start: the next UAE champion could be you, so work for it. " Safiya concluded.

Safiya's success in the ITT UAE National Championships further cements her position in Emirati women's sports. She is one of a few sports women representing the UAE internationally, most notably during the upcoming Paris Olympics.