AD Ports Group Gran Fondo is a long amateur road cycling race gaining new international status in 2026. The start is scheduled for 20 December at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, with the finish at the Sheikh Zayed Festival site in Al Wathba. The race distance is 154 km. It is a journey across the emirate of Abu Dhabi with different start and finish locations, rather than a city ride through the capital's centre.
Why it interests participants
The 2026 edition is part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series and will be a qualifying event for the Gran Fondo World Championships. Amateur riders gain a sporting goal beyond the finish itself: competing in their age group and pursuing qualification under the series rules. The organiser publishes registration and qualification conditions.
The event began in 2022 as Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo. Keep its current name and new status in mind when looking for registration and the programme, as older articles may concern a different edition. For visiting riders, it is a reason to combine a major personal challenge with seeing different parts of the emirate.
Plan the start and finish separately
Al Ain and Al Wathba are different places. A participant should first decide where to stay the night before and where to go after finishing. Companions can decide whether to join the athlete at the start or come to support them at the end. A single general plan to “go to Gran Fondo” does not describe these options precisely enough.
Map out the day: accommodation, the Al Ain start, the companions' chosen activities, the Al Wathba finish and the onward journey. Agree on the exact post-race meeting place once the organiser publishes the current layout. Do not use the racing distance to estimate the driving route.
Discussing the journey
Discuss your journey with Hola Taxi to the start in Al Ain from Dubai or your accommodation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, followed by a return from the Al Wathba finish. Give the passenger count and addresses. If taking bicycles or bike cases, provide their number and dimensions so you can discuss a suitable arrangement. You can also include airport pickup and travel to your hotel in the enquiry.
Sources
Checked on 19 October 2026 (Asia/Dubai).
