Mohammed attends Elite Race at Al Salam Cycling Championship
- Last updated: January 19, 2026 | 10:03 ..
Gulf Today, Sports Reporter
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE 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, better known as HH The Ruler of Dubai Court Race, was held on Sunday under the patronage and directives of Sheikh Mohammed and witnessed Alessandro Borgo of Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 1 Team being crowned champion.
The race featured the most accomplished riders competing in the tenth edition of the championship, with the winners across different categories entitled to claim prizes worth Dhs1 million.
Borgo was awarded a cash prize of Dhs200,000 after a superb display right through the intensely contested race over a 200-km route, starting off from the Ruler’s Court, passing by Dubai’s most prominent historical and cultural landmarks, and crossing the finish line at the Championship Village inside Al Marmoom Reserve in the Seih Al Salam area.
Julius Johansen of MyWhoosh Team finished second, earning a cash prize of Dhs150,000, while Abdullah Jassim Al Ali of Dubai Residence Cycling Club A came in third and received Dhs100,000.
In the team standings, Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 1 Team claimed first place, Dubai Residence Cycling Club A finished second, and Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 2 Team secured third place.
Grega Bole of Omniyat Shabab Al Ahli 2 Team won the award for Best Rider in the Over-40 category.
In the presence of Omair Bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of Ruler of Dubai and Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship, Issa Al Mutaiwei, Deputy Director General of Dubai Ruler’s Court, officially flagged off the start of the race from the Dubai Ruler’s Court.
The official start of the race was also attended by Marwan Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; and Khalifa Bin Aboud, representative of Dubai Ruler’s Court, in the Organising Committee.
Falasi expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Mohammed for his boundless support, which, he said, continued to inspire ever-greater success for the organisers and participants alike.
HH The Ruler of Dubai Court Race had recorded unprecedented participation in the latest edition of the championship, reflecting its immense popularity within the cycling community, he noted.
“The event attracted a strong field of 289 cyclists representing 51 nationalities across 29 teams, building on the significant community impact of the event last year, he said.
He added that the remarkable appeal of the race lies not only in the test of skill and endurance over the 200-kilometre distance but also the captivating route it tracks, starting from the heart of Dubai and weaving past numerous landmarks showcasing the emirate’s history, heritage, and all-round development.
The race route passes major landmarks along Sheikh Zayed Road including Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future before ultimately reaching the finish line amid the stunning desert landscape of Al Marmoom Reserve — a unique desert reserve that has become a leading international destination on both the sporting and tourism fronts.