Sunday 20 December 2026 will mark a milestone for one of the United Arab Emirates’ biggest amateur races, as the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo Abu Dhabi becomes an official qualifying event for the 2027 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
The fifth edition covers 154 km from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi, with a 07:00 start. Previously known as the Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo, the race now offers amateur and age-group riders a pathway to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. It is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with AD Ports Group as title sponsor.
The event qualifies riders for the 2027 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France next August. Riders must finish in the top 25% of their gender and age group to qualify. The course is flat and fast, so large, aggressive bunches are expected, with positioning crucial in the final kilometres.
Last year’s race, held on Sunday 21 December, saw fierce competition from the start in Al Ain to the finish in Abu Dhabi. More than 1,000 riders competed for a total prize pool of AED 2 million. Ukraine’s Serhii Sydor won the men’s race in 02:57:30, averaging more than 50 km/h.
The event also offers a preview of the 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, which Abu Dhabi will host on the same roads. Riders competing in December will therefore get an early look at the course that will later decide the world titles.
Riders hoping to qualify can find entry details and race rules at abudhabigranfondo.ae.
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