UAE’s first national women’s cycling team kicks off victory

The mission of the UAE’s first professional women’s cycling team is to inspire cycling culture in the country.

The UAE ADQ team consists of 15 drivers, aged between 19 and 36, from New Zealand, Belarus, Canada, Slovenia, Italy, Russia, Switzerland and the UAE.

Some are international champions and mothers, some are young students.

During their first trip to Abu Dhabi, the riders are taking time out to inspire residents to get on the saddle and join their community rides at Yas Marina Circuit and beyond Hudariat Island.

“Cycling is a very mature culture EuropeIt’s been a part of people’s lives for a long time,” said Marta Bastianelli, 36, from Italy, who has an 8-year-old child. Nationwide.

“We want to be part of building this culture and building it in the UAE.”

Ms Bastianelli, who is ranked 15th globally and has won cycling races at previous World, European and Italian Championships, said she was impressed by the “excellent example” the UAE has set in developing purpose-built infrastructure and cycling ecosystems impression.

“We can see it clearly on Hudariat Island and the rest of the country,” she said.

during their 10-day trip Abu Dhabithe drivers will conduct their first boot camp in the UAE and will also take part in cultural events and sponsorships.

“The scenery here is completely different,” said 25-year-old Sofia Bertizzolo, another world-class rider from Italy. Nationwide.

“There are a lot of bike paths for people to train on. In Europe, it’s hard to find anything like this.”

Established in 2021 and recognised by the International Cycling Union, UAE ADQ Team is the first women’s professional cycling team in the Middle East to compete in the Women’s World Tour with 14 other international teams.

The men’s cycling team Emirates Emirates has become an international force after winning its second Tour de France title.

Its star driver, Tadej Pogacar, won the championship for the second year in a row in July 2021. The team recently finished Eurocycling with an impressive victory for Marc Hirschi at the Veneto Classic in Italy.

The one-year-old women’s team is based in Europe, and some of its drivers have already taken their place on the podium in international competitions.

Despite their different nationalities, the female drivers said they were proud to be able to rally under the UAE flag.

“We have the same passion. We may come from all over the world and share different training experiences. We have different approaches,” said Slovenian national champion Eugenia Bujak.

“But the common goal of all of us is to win.”

The team hopes to inspire other women to ride bikes.

“Women’s cycling needs more attention, and champions like Marianne Vos, Elizabeth Deignan and our own Marta, who are also mothers and students, provide great examples for women who are pursuing their dreams while balancing everyday life,” Ms Bertizzolo said.

Safiya Al Sayegh, 21, the only Emirati rider in the team and the first female Arab professional cyclist, told National It’s heartening to see more and more professional female cyclists.

She said she started the sport seven years ago.

“I have always been an athlete. I was given the opportunity to train with the national team and since then I have started competitive sports,” Ms Al Sayegh said.

“ride a bike Compared to previous years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, careers as women have improved significantly, [where] We are seeing more and more women starting to ride bicycles.

“Beyond racing, one of our core goals is to build a sense of community and create opportunities for women to participate in the sport.

“Our mission is to show women that they can achieve their passions and dreams.”

Updated: 10/22/2022 3:45am