Road closures announced for women's cycling tour in Dubai on Thursday

Closures due to the inaugural UAE Tour Women cycling event taking place across the country over four days

Members of the UAE Team ADQ cycling team during boot camp training at Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

UAE Team ADQ riders in training at Hudayriat Island. All 15 riders were due to take part in the 10 days of training. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

UAE Team ADQ rider Safiya Al Sayegh during training. The Emirati is the first Arab female professional cyclist. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

UAE Team ADQ was established in 2021 as the first women’s professional cycling team in the Middle East. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

UAE Team ADQ riders Linda Zenatti, from Switzerland, left, and Safiya Al Sayegh share a light-hearted moment. Photo: UAE Team ADQ

UAE Team ADQ members put in the kilometres at Al Wathba Cycling Track in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Team ADQ

UAE Team ADQ cyclists line up at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Team ADQ

Roads will be closed across Dubai on Thursday afternoon for the inaugural UAE Tour Women cycling event.

The emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the closures on its social media channels on Wednesday afternoon.

“Check out the route map for details on The UAE Tour Women 2023 held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 1.30pm to 5pm,” the RTA said on Twitter.

“Please be advised that during the race, traffic will be temporarily suspended for 10-15 minutes at specific street intersections while [riders] are passing.”

The closures begin shortly before the event takes off with areas closed including Port Rashid, where the race begins, Dubai Festival City, Ras Al Khor, Damac Hills, Dubai Sports City and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).

Thursday is the first leg of the tour, which runs until Sunday, February 12, with the finish at Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

Among those competing in the 468km event is UAE Team ADQ representing the host country in the first women’s WorldTour race to be held in the Middle East.

UAE Team ADQ – in pictures