DUBAI: Cycling superstar and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Elia Viviani described the experience of riding with more than 30,000 cyclists along Dubai’s main thoroughfare, Sheikh Zayed Road, as one of the most amazing experiences of his career.
Speaking at Expo 2020 Dubai ahead of inaugural Giro d’Italia Criterium, Elia Viviani said: “We expected 15,000, not 30,000. When we saw it, it was a really amazing thing. There were children, all kinds of persons, young and old, expert and not expert, mixing together on the same road.
“As a rider I feel proud to be developing our sport in another country.”
Dubai Ride organiser DP World estimated that 33,000 cyclists took part in the 14-kilometre annual event.
The ride today (5 November) came ahead of the short-format Giro d’Italia Criterium at the Expo 2020 site, organised by Giro d’Italia architects RCS Sport, in collaboration with madeinItaly.gov.it, Dubai Sports Council and Expo 2020.
The Criterium, which will start at the Italy Pavilion, will see riders complete 30 laps of a 2.1km circuit around the Expo 2020 site.
Viviani will be joined by riders including race favourite and reigning Giro d’Italia winner Egan Bernal from Colombia, three-time UCI Road World Champion Peter Sagan of Slovakia and Italy’s two-time UCI ITT World Champion Filippo Ganna.
