The Director of the Sharjah International Cycling Tour, Dr. Yaser Omar Aldhukhi, confirmed that the 11th edition of the Tour represents one of the strongest editions in the event's history, in terms of both participation and organization. He noted that the Tour has become a comprehensive sports, tourism, and cultural platform that reflects the identity of the Emirate of Sharjah and its civilizational values. Aldhukhi told «Al Ittihad» that the Tour, running from January 23 to 27, features 162 cyclists representing 27 teams and national teams from 18 countries, which confirms the growing international standing of the championship and the significant trust it enjoys from global teams and squads. He added that this diversity elevates the technical and competitive level of the race. The Tour director explained that the total distance is 503 kilometers, divided into five stages carefully designed to combine a sporting challenge with tourism promotion, in line with the current edition's slogan «From Pride and Generosity to Heritage and Civilization,» which reflects the Tour's vision of linking sports with the emirate's national identity and culture. He pointed out that the first stage is named «Pride and Generosity,» starting from the Island of Scientific Knowledge and ending at the Wheat Farm in Mleiha, while the second stage is named «Al Jabail,» passing through several modern traditional markets. The third stage was dedicated to a time trial in the Al Hayra area, with two accompanying races for para-cycling and youth categories held to provide an opportunity for international exposure and to enhance the event's community dimension. Aldhukhi added that the fourth and fifth stages will take the race to the cities of the eastern coast, with the Tour concluding at the Sharjah Falconers' Club, ending at the Grand Mosque of Sharjah in a scene that combines falconry and Islamic heritage, reflecting the depth of Emirati civilization. He confirmed that the organizing committee has dedicated all resources to ensure the event's success, with the participation of about 400 volunteers across various committees, in addition to organizing accompanying, recreational, and heritage events at all stages of the Tour, which boosts public attendance and gives the event a distinctive community dimension. The organizing committee of the Sharjah International Cycling Tour held a press conference at the Sharjah Falconers' Club, in the presence of Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, and member of the Sharjah Sports Council, Chairman of the Tour's Organizing Committee, Abdullah Sultan Al Dhuh, President of the UAE Cycling Federation, Mansour Bu Assaiba, Secretary-General of the Arab Cycling Union, Dr. Ashraf Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Sports Council, Mohammed Ubaid Al Hassani, former Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, Major General Saif Zari Al Shamsi, as well as the Tour Director, Dr. Yaser Omar Aldhukhi, and a number of representatives from sponsoring and supporting entities and institutions, and members of the organizing committees.
