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18-year-old Ibrahiem Alrefai claims victory at inaugural L’Etape Dubai

The much-anticipated L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France, the world’s largest amateur cycling series, made its debut in the UAE this weekend, drawing over 1,000 cycling enthusiasts from hobbyists to elite athletes

The event marked a record turnout for the first edition of any amateur cycling race in UAE history.

The event marked a record turnout for the first edition of any amateur cycling race in UAE history.

The main race, held on Sunday, February 2, featured hundreds of competitors taking on a challenging 101 km route, starting from Dubai Design District (D3) and navigating the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66). The race culminated in a thrilling finish at Expo Village Park, with Syrian national and UAE resident Ibrahiem Alrefai claiming the top spot after a decisive push along Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street (D54).

This inaugural edition of L’Étape Dubai saw the highest number of international competitors for a first-time amateur cycling event in Dubai, including over 250 Emiratis.

Ibrahiem Alrefai triumphed with a time of 02:17:24, earning the first-ever L’Étape Dubai title. Ivan Kormshchikov and Danil Konotop completed the podium in second and third place, respectively.

Alrefai shared his excitement, saying, “Winning the inaugural L’Étape Dubai is a huge honor. The course was challenging yet rewarding, and the atmosphere was incredible with both seasoned cyclists and newcomers. I’m proud to be the first winner of this prestigious event.”

18-year-old Ibrahiem Alrefai claims victory at inaugural L’Etape Dubai

In the women’s race, Olha Shekel emerged victorious with a time of 02:20:20, followed by Ebtissam Zayed in second and Olivuja Balesisyte in third. A notable young talent, 15-year-old UAE resident Darcey Minton, clinched first place in the 50 KM Ride, supported by race sponsor Škoda.

In the women’s race, Olha Shekel emerged victorious with a time of 02:20:20, followed by Ebtissam Zayed in second

The event was supported by the Dubai Sports Council, which aims to position Dubai as a global hub for international sporting events. Saeed Hareb, Executive Director of the Dubai Sports Council, expressed, “We are thrilled with the participation, especially from international riders. The race beautifully combined the luxury of Dubai with the history of the Tour de France, offering participants a memorable experience through the city’s scenic routes and iconic landmarks, including the Al Marmoom nature reserve and Expo City Dubai.”

Jozef Pukalovic, Organiser of L’Étape Dubai, reflected on the success of the event, saying, “Bringing L’Étape Dubai to the UAE for the first time has been an incredible achievement. The high level of competition, along with enthusiastic crowd engagement, exceeded our expectations. We are proud to deliver an authentic Tour de France experience and look forward to expanding this event in the future.”

As the final cyclists crossed the finish line, L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France solidified its place as a landmark event in the UAE’s sporting calendar. Beyond a race, the event was a celebration of endurance, community, and the growing cycling culture in the region. With Dubai continuing to foster world-class sporting initiatives, L’Étape Dubai has laid a strong foundation for the future of cycling in the UAE.

Link to 2025 L'Etape Dubai results: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7291392062342364928

 

 
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