The upcoming UCI Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge gran fondo scheduled Saturday 19 February in Dubai, UAE has announced a very lucrative prize purse for riders entering the elite gran fondo race, with total cash prizes of 36,000AED (~8500 Euros).  The prize payout is the largest ever at any UCI Gran Fondo World Series event.

The event is the first Gran Fondo World Series race in 2022 where amateur cyclists can qualify and earn a starting bib for the Gran Fondo World Championships taking place later this year in Italy.

Unlicensed amateurs only interested in qualifying for the World Championships must finish in the top 20% of their age category to qualify and will start separately from the elite (licensed) gran fondo riders racing for cash.   The top elite male and female finishers will earn equal cash payouts of ~2300 Euros (10,000AED) each.

On completely closed roads, the 92 kilometre dead-flat race with over 2500 participants will no-doubt be fast, very fast, with pure sprinters likely unleashing explosive finishing kicks to earn victory.

UCI Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is also the fifth and final event in the Dubai Big 5 Championship Series of races.  With Gregory Simpson leading the series by a scant 15 seconds in front of Ian Martin, the two riders will duke it out for the championship title at the race on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Spinney’s Dubai Cycle Challenge