The Abu Dhabi Bike Gran Fondo 2024 is set to bring thousands of cyclists together on November 16, as the Abu Dhabi Sports Council hosts the third edition of its flagship road race. Covering 150 km from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, the event carries an AED 2 million prize pool — one of the largest for an amateur cycling event anywhere in the world.
What Is the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo?
Led by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo has grown rapidly since its inaugural edition in 2022. The race is a mass-participation gran fondo — a long-distance timed ride that welcomes riders of every level, from first-time participants to competitive cyclists chasing the top prize.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, underlined the event's broader ambition: "The Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo is the third edition in Abu Dhabi and the event is expected to attract cycle enthusiasts and professional cyclists throughout the long event course which goes through different parts of Abu Dhabi."
Growing Participation Year on Year
Since its launch, the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo has attracted an increasingly international field. The 2023 edition drew more than 1,200 participants from 75 nations, including both UAE residents and international riders. The event is open to men and women of all ages and cycling backgrounds, reflecting the Abu Dhabi Sports Council's goal of promoting grassroots participation alongside elite competition.
Al Awani described the event as "a celebration of cycling and the unity of society," adding that the focus goes beyond the race itself to fostering healthier lifestyles across the community.
Abu Dhabi's Cycling Vision
The Gran Fondo is one pillar of a wider government-backed effort to position Abu Dhabi as a global cycling destination. The strategy treats cycling simultaneously as a sustainable transport option, a public health tool, and a competitive sport.
That commitment was formally recognised in November 2021 when the International Cycling Union designated Abu Dhabi as a Bike City — a distinction that acknowledges the emirate's infrastructure investment and strategic planning around cycling mobility, health, and sport.
AED 2 Million Prize Pool
With AED 2 million on the line across six age categories split equally between men and women, the 3rd Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo ranks among the world's richest gran fondos for amateur riders. The prize structure is designed to reward performance at every competitive level, not just the overall winners.
Riders seeking to compete for prize money must register in the elite category and hold a valid racing licence. Professional cyclists may participate for promotional purposes but are not eligible for the prize ranking.
Event Details
- Date: November 16, 2024 - Start: Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba) - Finish: Al Ain Cycling Track, Al Ain - Distance: 150 km - Prize Pool: AED 2 million - Organiser: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
