Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Opens Registration for the Aster Pharmacy Big 5 Competition

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 8th August 2023: Held in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge has announced its highly anticipated return, following a record-breaking 2023 season that saw over 2,200 participants take to the streets of Dubai.  

 

The annual event has officially launched its 14th edition, with registration now open for the Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 and the main race confirmed for Sunday 25th February 2024. The 2024 season will see a new look for the city-wide, 92km cycle race, while continuing to serve as a qualifier for the international UCI Gran Fondo World Series Championship for the third consecutive year. The top 20 per cent of participants from each age category will qualify to compete in the finals in Aalborg, Demark in September 2024. 

 

The return of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge marks the opening of registration for the event’s iconic Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 competition. Comprised of four Build-Up Rides, the BIG 5 provides a roadmap to the fifth and final 92km race, giving cyclists the perfect chance to train and gradually scale up their speed on the cycling tracks of Al Qudra in the months leading up to the main event. The number one male and female riders from each category will receive a yellow or blue jersey, which will signal their status as the leading rider ahead of each Build-Up Ride. 

 

“We are thrilled and immensely grateful to announce the return of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge this year. After a record-breaking 2023 season with over 2,200 participants, we cannot wait to witness yet another exceptional cycling event. We look forward to supporting cyclists from all over the world and being a part of their journey. Together with our partners, we are excited to gear up for another fantastic year and set new milestones together,” said Warwick Gird of Spinneys Group GM Marketing.  

 

An exciting addition to this year's Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 is the introduction of a brand-new Teams Category, creating a new opportunity for cyclists to join forces and compete as a squad of six. The teams can be of mixed-gender and the minimum eligible age is 16. Once registered, the line-up of the team will remain fixed for the duration of the series and the winning team with the least cumulative time across all five events will be crowned at the awards ceremony. 

 

Participants can now register and secure their spot for the Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 competition for only AED 535. The entry provides a full range of incredible benefits, including exclusive prizes, race packs, a leaderboard ranking, series leader jerseys, priority parking, and a bespoke finisher medal.  

 

This season’s Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 schedule is as follows:  

 

BUR 1: 35km on Sunday 1st October 2023 

BUR 2: 45km on Sunday 29th October 2023 

BUR 3: 65km on Sunday 19th November 2023 

BUR 4: 85km on Sunday 28th January 2024 

                Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge (92KM) on Sunday 25th February 2024 

 

Aster Pharmacy, one of the largest regional health and wellness chains continues its commitment towards community wellness by returning as the official title partner of this year’s BIG 5 competition. “As always, we are incredibly delighted to associate with Spinneys as the official partner in this year’s BIG 5 competition, and it’s a privilege to continue being a supporter of one of the region’s fastest growing communities,” said N.S. Balasubramanian, CEO of Aster Pharmacy. “The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge has long been one of the established fixtures of the region’s annual fitness calendar, and we are really looking forward to seeing cyclists competing in the Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 competition over the coming months.” 

 

The 14th edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge season will also see the return of the iconic Junior Rides and TotalEnergies Outride, with the two fan-favourites back by popular demand to allow the entire family to take part in the main race weekend in February 2024. The Junior Rides are a great opportunity for the younger ones to test their abilities and have some fun at the same time. They are untimed and solely for the enjoyment of the sport, while the TotalEnergies Outride is a shorter course option, allowing families and new cyclists to join in the fun. 

 

Junior Rides: Saturday 24th February 2024 

TotalEnergies Outride: Date TBD 

Final Race: 92km on Sunday 25th February 2024  

 

“We’re thrilled to announce the kick off of the 14th edition Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, said Stewart Howison, Race Director of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge. “Registration is now open for the Aster Pharmacy BIG 5 competition, giving both competitive and new cyclists the opportunity to test their skills and stamina while on their journey to 92km this season.” 

 

Held in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, Spinneys and Dubai 92, the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is one of the Middle East’s premium road cycling races, regularly attracting thousands of riders from all over the world.