Al Salam Cycling Championship’s 11th edition to include over AED3.6 million prize pool

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship has announced the launch of its 11th edition, with an AED 3.695 million prize pool.

Running from December 27, 2026 to March 14, 2027, the championship will feature five races for men and women across defined categories for amateurs, professionals, clubs, and national teams.

The championship is anticipated to include the participation of approximately 1,900 male and female cyclists from the UAE and worldwide. 

It will begin with the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race on December 27, offering AED 1 million in prize money to 250 expected cyclists. 

The championship will then host the Elite race on January 17, 2027, with the field comprising UAE amateur cyclists, professionals, club riders, national teams, and teams representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The race is expected to draw over 350 participants and will offer AED 1 million in prize money, making it one of the season’s most prominent and fiercely contested events.

The Women's race next takes place on January 24, pitting amateur and professional cyclists from around the world, with over 200 participants and a prize pool of  AED 460,000. 

The Open Desert Race will then be hosted on January 31, featuring four categories including men’s amateurs, men’s professionals, women’s amateurs, and women’s professionals.

Open to participants worldwide, the race is targeting 500 male and female competitors and will offer AED 535,000 to winners. 

The season will conclude on March 14 with the Arqoub Al Sadeera Race, which will bring together amateur and professional male and female cyclists from around the world.

With over 600 participants in prospect, it will include the largest number of participants in the race's 11th edition, with AED 700,000 in prize money on offer.

Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship, said the competition has "emerged as a notable platform to promote a community sporting culture, inspiring people to stay fit and fulfill their potential, and providing Emiratis the competitive edge to enhance their sporting performances". 

The Al Salam Cycling Championship is organised in collaboration with several strategic partners, including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), 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 (General Referee), and Dubai Film.

Under the patronage of Mohammed bin Rashid, the Supreme Organising Committee of the Al Salam Cycling Championship has launched the 11th edition, which will run from 27 December 2026 to 14 March 2027. The season will feature five races for cyclists across a range of categories,… pic.twitter.com/qCwsaEgoWe

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 11, 2026