Memorial ride for Dubai triathlete killed by drink driver next month

Friends and supporters will gather to honour the memory of a Lebanese triathlete killed on a training ride last year.

The Ride for Roy is being organised by TriDubai, a club co-founded by Roy Nasr not long before he was killed by a drunk driver while training. Courtesy Sven Polter Photography

DUBAI // About 1,000 cyclists are expected to take part in a bike ride in memory of triathlete Roy Nasr next month.

The Ride for Roy is being organised by TriDubai, a club co-founded by Nasr not long before the road accident that led to his death last year.

The 65-kilometre ride will start and finish at Atlantis, The Palm on March 7 and will follow some of his favourite routes, crossing the bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road where he was killed.

Ian Le Pelley, who co-founded TriDubai with Nasr and is leading the organising team, said the event was a memorial ride, not a race, intended to honour the triathlete and raise funds to help pay for the education of his two children.

Nasr represented his native Lebanon in races all over the world, including the 2006 Asian Games and the 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Florida.

He was also a well-known and active member of the community, keen to promote a healthy and active life by visiting schools and universities in Dubai to inspire children.

“Roy’s sporting achievements, as good as they were, don’t compare to the impact he had on so many of the people who came into contact with him,” said Mr Le Pelley.

"It's impossible to sum him up in words but he was a huge physical and emotional force whose love for sport and positive attitude to life was infectious.

“A fierce competitor when racing he always had time for everyone, no matter what their station in life, and this ride provides a perfect opportunity for people to honour his life.”

Guy Coghlan, a committee member for TriDubai, said safety measures would be in place for the event.

It starts at 7.30am on a Friday morning, when roads are quiet.

“There will be support cars following each group round,” Mr Coghlan said. “If we end up with 1,000 we’ll have groups of 100 people each with a support car.

“There will also be a sweeper vehicle following at the very end. As far as I’m aware the Dubai Police will be in attendance and marshals at the road junctions on the route.”

Full details of the ride and the route can be found at www.tridubai.org/ride-for-roy and registration can be done online at www.premieronline.com/event/Ride_for_Roy or by visiting Wolfi's bike shop on Sheikh Zayed Road. Registration is Dh300.