Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman attends Sharjah Tour starting gun shot on Friday.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman, Chairman of Sharjah Ruler's Office, witnessed, on Friday afternoon, the launch of the ninth Sharjah International Cycling Tour in its first stage, from in front of Sharjah Fort to Kalba Fort, a distance of 134.46 kilometres.

All arrangements have been completed for the launch of the major international event, which will be held in 5 stages over a distance of 503km and will be accompanied by a local youth tour and a special race for people with disabilities.

The race continues until next Wednesday, January 31, with 168 cyclists from 21 countries participating. The second stage, "Sustainability", begins on Saturday, Jan.27, for a distance of 137.66 km, from Bee'ah Group to "Ajmal Makan" in Hamriyah.

168 cyclists from 21 countries are taking part in the event.

The third stage, from"Al Heera Beach", begins on Sunday, January 28, for a distance of 10.12 km, and begins and ends at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

On the same day, the first stage of the Youth Tour is held, for a distance of 10.12 km. It starts from the same place and ends there as well. At the same time, a race for people with disabilities "against the clock" will also be held on the same day, for the same distance for the categories of wheelchairs "H" and special bicycles "C".

The fourth stage "East Coast" begins on Tuesday, January 30, for a distance of 125.57 km, in front of the University of Kalba and ending at "Shees Park" in Khorfakkan.

The fifth and final stage, "Shees Rest House", begins on Wednesday, January 31 at 11am, for a distance of 95.08km, and begins from Shees Park and ends at Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid.

The launch of the tour was attended by Sheikh Faisal Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, President of The Arab Cycling Federation, Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, Mansour Bu Asiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation, and several officials in the sports sector.