Dubai Police to hold 80km “Proud of the UAE” cycling race on Sunday
In short
Dubai Police will organise the second edition of the “Proud of the UAE” cycling race on Sunday, October 4, 2026, an 80-kilometre event starting at 6:00 am from Nad Al Sheba Centre with a total prize purse of AED 140,000. It is organised with the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. The RTA said rolling road closures on four routes will suspend traffic for 10 to 30 minutes each, with disruption expected between 6:00 am and 8:30 am.
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Dubai Police General Command will organise the second edition of the “Proud of the UAE” cycling race on Sunday, October 4, 2026, an 80-kilometre event starting at 6:00 am from Nad Al Sheba Centre, according to WAM, Gulf News and Emirates 24|7. Dubai Police said the race carries a total prize purse of AED 140,000. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
The race is being organised in cooperation with the UAE Cycling Federation, the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority as part of this season’s cycling programme, the outlets reported. Dubai Police said the event is part of sporting and national activities aimed at promoting pride in the UAE and celebrating its achievements, while encouraging sport as a way of life and contributing to the health and well-being of the community, a framing repeated by Emirates 24|7, which said it reinforces the idea that sport is a way of life. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
The National reported that the RTA announced rolling road closures along the route and said delays were expected. Traffic will be suspended for between 10 and 30 minutes on Al Ain-Dubai Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, Ras Al Khor Road and Al Meydan Road while riders travel through each area, and each road will be reopened once all cyclists have passed, the transport authority said in a social media post on Saturday afternoon. The disruption was expected to last from 6:00 am until 8:30 am. [ 3 ]
“Plan your trip in advance and follow the directional signs to ensure smooth and comfortable travel,” the RTA said on the social media platform X, according to The National. Gulf News also published an alert to drivers about traffic delays caused by the race. [ 3 , 4 ]
The documents differ on the starting point: WAM, Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 say the race sets off from Nad Al Sheba Centre, while The National, citing the RTA, says it gets under way at 6am from Nad Al Sheba Police Station. The National also reported that professional and amateur riders alike will take part, describing large parts of the emirate being transformed into a cycling track. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The race is a police-organised national sporting event that will close parts of four major Dubai roads on Sunday morning, so residents driving in the emirate may face delays. The RTA has advised motorists to plan their journeys in advance and follow directional signs.
Key facts
- Dubai Police General Command will organise the second edition of the “Proud of the UAE” cycling race on Sunday, October 4, 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- The race covers 80 kilometres and starts at 6:00 am. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The total prize purse is AED 140,000. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- It is organised in cooperation with the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, as part of this season’s cycling programme. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- The RTA said traffic will be suspended for 10 to 30 minutes on Al Ain-Dubai Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, Ras Al Khor Road and Al Meydan Road while riders pass, with each road reopened once all cyclists have passed. [ 3 ]
- The RTA said disruption is expected from 6:00 am until 8:30 am. [ 3 ]
- Dubai Police said the event is part of sporting and national activities that promote pride in the UAE and encourage sport as a way of life. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The “Proud of the UAE” cycling race is being held for the second time and is organised by Dubai Police. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The race is 80 kilometres long and starts at 6:00 am on Sunday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The total prize purse is AED 140,000. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- The UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority are partners in organising the event. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The exact starting point of the race. WAM, Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 say the race starts from Nad Al Sheba Centre, while The National, citing the RTA, says it gets under way at 6am from Nad Al Sheba Police Station. The documents do not reconcile the two locations.
- How the AED 140,000 prize purse is distributed among riders. Emirates 24|7 says the money will be awarded to the winners, but no document sets out the categories or amounts.
- The Roads and Transport Authority announced rolling road closures and advised motorists to plan their trips in advance, saying delays were expected. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- WAM announces that Dubai Police will host the second edition of the “Proud of the UAE” cycling race on Sunday, an 80km event from Nad Al Sheba Centre at 6:00 am with an AED140,000 prize purse. [ 1 ]
- Gulf News reports the race will be held on Sunday, October 4, with riders competing for Dh140,000, organised with the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Council and the RTA. [ 2 ]
- The National reports that Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority announced rolling road closures for the race in a social media post on Saturday afternoon, saying traffic would be suspended for 10 to 30 minutes on four roads. [ 3 ]
- Gulf News publishes an alert to drivers about traffic delays caused by the race. [ 4 ]
- Emirates 24|7 publishes its report on the race, confirming the date, start, distance, prize purse and organising partners. [ 5 ]
- The race is scheduled to start from Nad Al Sheba Centre, with road closures beginning. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The RTA expects disruption from the rolling closures to end. [ 3 ]