Orekhov and Baleisyte fastest at Record-Breaking UCI Spinneys Dubai 92 Challenge

Riders experienced the thrill of racing a UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier on Dubai’s traffic-free streets last Sunday February 25th, 2024. ?A total of 360 riders qualified for the UCI world championship in Aalborg, Denmark at the end of August

Photo: Riders experienced the thrill of racing a UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier on Dubai’s traffic-free streets

Talents were seriously tested on the 94.1km course making the 14th edition of Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge one of the greatest yet.

The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge moved for this year’s edition to a new start and finish area at the Expo City Dubai, attracting an impressive number of participants as over 2,700 cyclists registered for the various challenges.

The streets of Dubai buzzed with the energy of thousands of cyclists over the weekend, culminating in exciting cycling, family fun, and an incredible atmosphere. The 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier saw over 280 elite riders take to the course spanning 94.1 kilometers across the city. Throughout the ride, cyclists took in the traffic-free sites of Dubai, passing by the iconic Global Village, the bustling DMCC/Jumeirah Lake Towers, and the communities of Springs, Meadows and more, before heading home to Expo City Dubai for the Spinneys Eat Well Live Well Village.

Overall for the mean was Russuin Maksim Orekhov in a time just over 2 hours for an average speed of 46.93 km/h covering the 94km race. He won a big bunch sprint beating over 100 riders with Yacine Hamza from Algeria in second and Francesco Lamon from Italy in third.

For the women, in the same bing bunch, Lithuanian Olivija Baleisyte beat compatriot Akvile Gedraityte in second and Australian Maddison Black in third place.

Maksim Orekhov and Olivija Baleišyte were fastest across the finish line with respective times of 2h 18s and 2h 21s, taking top spot in the standings and earning AED 10,000 each from the lucrative AED 36,000 prize pot. 

Participants in the race competed in eleven age categories for men and women and a total of 61 male and female riders have qualified from the 19-34 years category, and another 58 riders in the 35-39 years category. Another 74 riders made it through to the Aalborg competition in the 40-44 years category, and another 61 riders in the 45-49 years category. In the 55-59 years category, 30 participants will travel to Denmark and will be joined by another 17 in the 60-64 years category. The 65-69 years category saw six participants turn home with qualifying times, and the 70-74 years category will have five riders.

Photo: A total of 360 riders qualified for the UCI world championship in Aalborg, Denmark at the end of August

The redesigned Spinneys Eat Well Live Well race village at Al Forsan Park, offered a lively ambiance for cyclists and guests to enjoy the post-challenge festivities. Whether top finishers gearing up for the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship in Denmark, or locals completing their longest ride to date, everyone found a reason to celebrate at the Spinneys Eat Well Live Well race village.

Stewart Howison, Race Director of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge said: “The 14th edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge has been truly remarkable, we have achieved so much this year with a record-breaking number of over 6,500 participants across the series. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the RTA, Dubai Police, and the Dubai Sports Council for their steadfast support over the past 14 years. Thank you all for being a part of this fantastic journey and we cannot wait to see you again for the 2025 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge.”

This 14th edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Challenge marked a milestone as it was the biggest one so far scoring a new participants record of over 2,700 international cyclists.

Congratulations to all the riders on their remarkable achievements, and to the top 25% have qualified for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship in Denmark in August.

Link to 2024 Spinneys Dubai 92 Challenge Results: https://cyclechallenge.ae/results-14-edition

Link to 2024 Spinneys Dubai 92 Challenge Photos: https://freephotos.finisherpix.com/gallery/2024spinneys

Photo: The top 25% have qualified for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship in Denmark in August. Credit: Spinneys Dubai 92