Saudi Tour : Act 2
December 22 nd 2021 - 13:00 [GMT + 3]
The Ministry Of Sport and The Saudi Cycling Federation have announced the second edition of The Saudi Tour.
After hosting a successful first edition that remained in the memory of cycling fans around the world, the Saudi tour will return once again from the 1st to 5th of February 2022.
After a thrilling first edition finale that saw Germany’s Phil Bauhaus and Bahrain-McLaren beat France’s Nacer Bouhanni and Arkéa-Samsic in the final sprint in Al Masnak, alongside these two riders, the other stage winners were the 2013 world champion Rui Costa of Portugal and Italian sprinting ace Niccolo Bonifazio.
The second edition could not be held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the Ministry of Sport reiterated the motivation of the Saudi Arabian government for the event to return in the early part of 2022 as one of the first meetings for the top tier teams in the UCI calendar.
The race will take place on a star-shaped course showcasing AlUla, a boutique heritage and culture destination in North West Saudi Arabia, chosen as a venue to introduce the stunning landscape of ancient civilizations to millions of cycling and sports fans around the world.
AlUla, The World’s Masterpiece, is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra, the first UNESCO World Heritage site in the Kingdom, as well as the ancient Kingdom of Dadan, the open-air library of rock inscriptions in Jabal Ikmah, and AlUla Old Town. AlUla’s history goes back more than 200,000 years. Once at the crossroads of the Silk Road and The Incense Route, the site has only recently been rediscovered by the world.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla. Today the region is opening up as a year-round destination for heritage, arts, nature, and adventure. From railway bike trails to functional road bike paths and scenic mountain biking, two-wheeled transport and recreation are a big part of AlUla’s Journey Through Time 15 year masterplan, launched in April 2021. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development, as part of the heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program.
Resembling 2020, side events will be organized during the Saudi Tour. A mass-participation race (Saudi Tour Ride), a women’s race (Saudi Tour Women Ride), a junior race organized by the Saudi Cycling Federation (Saudi Tour Challenge) and a dedicated race for the kids (Mini Kids Race, at every finishing area of the 5 stages) will take place as side events at the heart of beautiful landscapes.
Abdullah bin Ali Al-Wathlan President of Saudi Cycling Federation, President of Cycling Organizing Committee of the GCC States, said:
“With the unlimited support from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we are pleased to host the second edition of the Saudi Tour for 2022, which is a global cycling event and one of the most important opportunities to view the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On behalf of all athletes and those who love this sport, I am pleased to express my happiness that my country is hosting this event and the distinguished efforts made by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports - President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, preserving the Kingdom's position and accomplishing international achievements locally and abroad, and on the follow-up and attention from His Highness Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Olympic Committee for all sports federations.”