The UAE Cycling Federation is sending four of its top young riders to the World Championships in Canada this September, hoping that international experience will help raise the standard of its next generation.
Instead of focusing on immediate results, the federation is giving its Under-23 and junior athletes a rare chance to race against some of the world's best. Mohamed al-Aleeli and Harib al-Marzouqi will compete in the Under-23 category, while Saif al-Ghaoui and Sultan al-Hammadi are set for the junior events. Their selection comes after a period of overseas training and racing, aimed at improving both their physical condition and tactical skills before heading to Canada. According to Sharjah 24, the federation has made it clear that this trip is about development, not chasing medals, and is part of a broader effort to support future talent.
"The World Championships in Canada are scheduled from 8 to 26 September 2026, with the UAE squad having completed an overseas training and racing block ahead of departure."
- Emirates24
Development takes priority
The federation sees international competition as a way to speed up learning for its most promising riders. By entering the World Championships, the UAE hopes its athletes will gain experience with the demands and unpredictability of elite racing. The goal is to bring those lessons back to future regional and global events. As Sharjah 24 reported, the federation wants its Junior and Under-23 riders to get exposure to the highest level and to race against top cyclists from around the world.
Focused preparation
Preparation for the World Championships has included a targeted training block abroad, with the riders taking part in select races to get used to the intensity and tactics they will face in Canada. Emirati media, including Emirates24, noted that these sessions were designed to improve both technical and physical readiness. This is part of a wider plan to make sure UAE riders are not just present at major events, but ready to compete with established cycling nations.
What this means for UAE cycling
For the federation, this trip is about more than individual results. It is a test of whether the UAE can develop and prepare riders who can hold their own internationally. Al-Aleeli, al-Marzouqi, al-Ghaoui, and al-Hammadi are seen as the start of a new generation-athletes who could set the standard for those who follow, if given the right support.
"UAE cycling official Bu'Asiba described the Canadian Worlds as an important stage for building a new generation of Emirati riders, reinforcing that the event is being treated as a long-term development milestone. The federation's focus is on sustained progress rather than immediate podium finishes, aiming to create a pipeline of talent for future international competitions."
- Emarat Al Youm
Sending these riders to Canada signals that the federation wants more than regional success. The outcome will not be judged only by results, but by how much the riders learn and what they bring back to the UAE cycling scene.
The federation's approach is to invest in real experience for its young athletes, hoping this will lay the groundwork for a future where UAE cycling can compete at the highest level. Whether this investment pays off will depend on how the riders develop, both in Canada and in the years ahead.
