The United Arab Emirates has always been a land of opportunity for athletes. From football to cricket, the country has produced some of the greatest sporting talents in the world. Cycling is no exception.
The sport has been on the rise in the UAE over the past few years, and the country has seen some of the best cyclists in the world. From world champions to Olympic medalists, the UAE has a rich history of producing top-tier talent.
In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best cycling players in the UAE, and what makes them so great.
1. Diego Ulissi
Diego Ulissi is a professional road cyclist who competes in the UCI WorldTour the highest level of professional road bicycle racing. He was born in Tuscany, Italy in 1989 and has been competing at a professional level since 2008.
He has had many successes over his career, including a stage win at the 2014 Giro d’Italia and a stage win at the 2017 Tour of the Basque Country.
He currently rides for UAE Team Emirates, which is part of the UCI WorldTeam which is a group of the top professional cycling teams.
Ulissi is known for his strong climbing abilities and has gone on to take many top ten placings in major races such as the Vuelta a España and the Tour de France.
He is also known for his strong sprinting ability and has won multiple one-day races such as Milano-Torino and the Memorial Marco Pantani. Ulissi is an exciting rider to watch and is a valuable asset to UAE Team Emirates.
2. Marc Hirschi
Marc Hirschi is a professional cyclist from Switzerland. He competes at the highest level of the sport and is currently signed to the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. Hirschi is a renowned figure in the cycling world, owing to his success in various races.
He has won multiple stages at both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España and has been a consistent presence on the podium at the UCI World Championships. He has also had success in one-day races, such as the Tour of Flanders and Strade Bianche.
Away from the competitive stage, Hirschi is an ambassador for the sport, appearing as a guest speaker at numerous events and participating in charity initiatives.
All in all, he is a highly respected figure in the cycling scene and one of the most iconic riders of his generation.
3. Pascal Ackermann
Pascal Ackermann is a professional cyclist from Germany. He is currently a member of the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, one of the top cycling teams in the world. This team competes in the UCI World Tour, which is the highest level of professional road cycling.
Ackermann has had great success in his career, including winning stages in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, and winning the 2019 European Road Race Championships.
He is a prominent figure in the world of professional cycling and is known for his strong sprinting abilities. His inclusion in the UAE Team Emirates team makes them even stronger, as they look to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the world.
4. Ryan Gibbons
Ryan Gibbons is a professional cyclist from South Africa. He is currently part of UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, which is one of the top-level professional cycling teams in the world.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Gibbons began his career in 2012 when he joined the UCI Continental Team MTN-Qhubeka.
He quickly became a key member of the team, and over the next few years, he earned multiple podium finishes in UCI-sanctioned races. In 2017, Gibbons signed with UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, making him one of the few South African cyclists to compete at this level.
Since joining the team, he has achieved remarkable results, winning the South African National Time Trial Championship in 2019 and finishing in the top ten at a number of European races.
He has also represented his country at the World Championships, finishing in the top ten in the elite men’s time trial in 2018. Overall, Ryan Gibbons has established himself as a top-level cyclist in the international cycling world.
His determination and hard work have paid off, allowing him to compete at the highest level of cycling and represent his country on the world stage.
5. Felix Groß
Felix Gross is a professional German cyclist currently riding for the UCI Continental team UAE Team Emirates.
He has achieved success on the track, having competed in the men’s team pursuit event at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Recently, in May 2021, Gross signed a three-year contract with the elite UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
This contract will begin from the start of the 2022 season, providing Gross with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport as a part of one of the world’s top cycling teams. Gross’s signing with UAE Team Emirates marks an important milestone in his career and is indicative of his commitment to the sport.
With the support of the prestigious team, Gross will be able to continue to develop his cycling career and pursue his goals of becoming one of the world’s best cyclists.
6. Domen Novak
Domen Novak is an elite Slovenian cyclist who is currently signed with the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. Novak has been making waves in the cycling world since he began his professional career in 2017.
He is considered one of the most talented and promising young cyclists in the world, having achieved notable success in his first two seasons on the international circuit.
Novak has competed in races in all five of the major continents and has had several top-ten finishes in the Tour de France, Tour of Poland, and the Tour of California.
His most notable performance to date came in 2019 when he finished second in the Tour of Italy, an impressive feat for a professional cyclist in only his third year of racing.
With his talent and skill, Novak has become a fixture in the international cycling scene and is sure to be a star of the sport for years to come.
7. Michael Vink
Michael Vink is a professional road cyclist from New Zealand who is currently signed with the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. His signing was based on his impressive results on the virtual cycling platform ‘MyWhoosh’.
This success has been further confirmed by his impressive record in competitive cycling. He has accomplished the feat of winning the Tour of Southland three times, an accomplishment only achieved by four other riders.
This is an impressive record, showing that Vink is a top-tier cyclist in the world and has the talent to back up his success in the virtual cycling world.
His athletic ability and dedication to achieving success have surely put him in the position he is in today, and it’s likely that he will continue to find success in the future.
8. Marco Marcato
Marco Marcato is an experienced cyclist who has competed in many races across the world. He was born in Italy and began his career as a professional cycling racer in 2004.
He has competed in numerous competitions, such as the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España, and the Tour of California. He has also won a number of prestigious titles, such as the Italian National Road Race Championship in 2008.
Marcato has been a part of several teams throughout his career, most recently signing with UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates in 2019.
As part of this team, Marcato was able to compete in some of the world’s biggest races, such as the Tour of Turkey, the Tour de Romandie, and the Criterium du Dauphine. He had some impressive results, such as finishing in the top 10 of the Criterium du Dauphine.
Marcato has since retired from professional cycling and is now an ambassador for the sport. He encourages people to take up cycling and to enjoy the health benefits that come with it. He is also a mentor to many young cyclists, helping them to reach their full potential.
Despite his retirement, Marcato will always be remembered as one of the greats of Italian cycling.
9. Allan Peiper
Allan Peiper is a retired Australian professional cyclist and current pro cycling team manager. He has a long history with cycling, beginning to ride at the young age of twelve.
Peiper had a great deal of success in both road and track cycling, and this success earned him a spot on the Australian team for the 1977 Junior World Championships in Vienna, Austria.
Peiper has had a long and fruitful career in cycling, and his passion for the sport is evident in his current role as a pro team manager. He is an inspiration to aspiring cyclists, and his influence can be seen in the world of competitive cycling today.
10. Marco Marzano
Marco Marzano is an Italian cyclist who was a professional competitive rider from 2005 to 2012. He raced on the road and was well known for his impressive speed and endurance. Marzano was a part of many professional teams, such as Quick-Step, Lampre-ISD, and Farnese Vini.
He was particularly successful in the Giro d’Italia, where he managed to place highly in the general classification standings. He was also a sprinter and was often successful in flat stages. Marzano was a popular cyclist, with a large fan base in Italy.
He was admired for his skill and determination on the bike, as well as his affable personality off the bike.
He was also a successful team leader and often served as the captain of his respective squad. Sadly Marzano’s career was cut short in 2012, when he was forced to retire due to injury.
Despite this, he will be remembered as a successful and popular athlete, who was a major force in the Italian cycling scene.
11. Mauro Gianetti
Mauro Gianetti is a Swiss former professional road cyclist and directeur sportif. As a cyclist, he competed in the Tour de France and many other high-level cycling events.
After his retirement from professional cycling, Gianetti became a directeur sportif, an important role in the management of a cycling team. He was employed as the team manager for the Saunier Duval–Prodir cycling team from 2004 to 2011.
During this time, he was responsible for the team’s management, overseeing the team’s riders, strategizing about races, and managing the team’s budget.
In addition, he was responsible for the team’s PR, ensuring that sponsors were aware of the team’s successes and that the team was presented in the best possible light.
Gianetti’s time as team manager was a success, and the team enjoyed success in the sport, winning several races and having riders finish in the top ranks of many races.
12. Aart Vierhouten
Aart Vierhouten is a former professional cyclist from the Netherlands. He spent the majority of his career with the Vacansoleil team and is most famous for his appearance in the 1996 Summer Olympics in the men’s individual road race.
Vierhouten was one of the most experienced and successful Dutch cyclists of his era, having won many races on the continent and having the distinction of being the first Dutch cyclist to win the Tour of Switzerland in 1997. Throughout his career, Vierhouten was known for his strong ability to climb and his aggressive style of racing.
He was a dominant force in the peloton, and his ability to attack on the climbs often put him in contention for the win.
Vierhouten was also a strong sprinter, and his ability to time his sprints perfectly gave him the edge over his opponents on the flat sections. At the 1996 Olympics, Vierhouten was one of the top contenders for the gold medal.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to pull away from the pack and finished in 12th place. Despite his lack of success at the Olympics, Vierhouten’s career was still highly successful.
He won numerous races, and his legacy as one of the most dominant Dutch cyclists of his generation will live on for many years to come.
13. Alexys Brunel
Alexys Brunel is a French cyclist who is currently riding for the amateur team Dunkerque Grand Littoral. After competing professionally for a number of years, he retired on June 22nd, 2022 to focus on other aspects of his life.
However, Brunel was not done with cycling, and he eventually returned to the sport as an amateur competitor. In 2022, he had a noteworthy achievement, claiming a stage victory in the Tour de Guadeloupe.
This impressive feat shows that Brunel is still a force to be reckoned with, even though he is no longer competing as a professional cyclist.
His decision to retire from the professional circuit has not diminished his love for the sport, and his success as an amateur cyclist is testament to his dedication and passion for cycling..
14. Alessandro Covi
Alessandro Covi is a professional cyclist from Italy. He is currently a member of the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, a professional cycling team based in the United Arab Emirates.
Covi has achieved success in a number of cycling disciplines, including road racing, mountain biking, and track cycling. He has competed in the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, as well as the UCI World Championships and the UEC European Championships.
He has also won multiple national championships in Italy. Covi is well-known for his aggressive racing style and his ability to climb steep mountains with ease. He is also renowned for his strength and endurance, which have helped him to achieve success in a variety of events.
15. Yousif Mirza
Yousif Mohamed Ahmed Mirza Al-Hammadi is an Emirati former racing cyclist who had a remarkable career in the sport. He was a professional cyclist who competed for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates from 2017 to 2022.
During this time, he was able to achieve numerous successes in the sport, making him one of the most recognized racing cyclists in the region. He has competed in various tournaments and events, allowing him to build a strong reputation as a talented and driven cyclist.
During his career, he was able to gain experience and knowledge in the sport, making him an invaluable asset to the team and to the sport as a whole.
His dedication and commitment to the sport was evident in his performances, making him a respected athlete in the racing cycling community. He is a great example of an athlete who persevered and achieved great success in the sport.
16. Vegard Stake Laengen
Vegard Stake Laengen is a professional road racing cyclist from Norway. He is currently competing for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, which is one of the world’s most elite cycling teams.
Laengen has been a professional cyclist since 2016, and is known for his impressive performances in one-day races, as well as in stage races. He has achieved multiple top-ten finishes in some of cycling’s most prestigious races, including the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
Laengen is highly respected in the cycling world for his commitment to the sport, and his willingness to work hard to achieve his goals. He is also an advocate for clean sport, and has spoken out against the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
17. Mikkel Bjerg
Mikkel Bjerg is an extraordinary cyclist from Denmark who rides for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
His achievements have been remarkable, as he became the first rider to win three consecutive Under-23 Individual Time Trial titles at the UCI Road World Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
This has been an unprecedented feat, and it is a testament to his skill and dedication as a cyclist. Bjerg first won the Under-23 title in 2017, and he was able to defend his title the following year.
His third consecutive win in 2019 cemented his place in cycling history, as he became the first rider to ever achieve this feat. Bjerg’s impressive accomplishments show that he is a world-class cyclist, and he is sure to make more headlines in the future.
18. Juan Sebastián Molano
Juan Sebastián Molano Benavides is an elite athlete from Colombia. He is a professional racing cyclist and currently competes with the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
Molano Benavides has competed in many major cycling events, such as the Tour of California, the Vuelta a España, the Tour de Suisse, and the Tour of Turkey. He is known for his impressive sprinting ability and has won several stages in the Vuelta a España and the Tour of Turkey.
He is also the current Colombian National Road Race Champion. Molano Benavides is currently part of the UAE Team Emirates, a professional cycling team that competes in the UCI WorldTour.
The team is made up of some of the best riders in the world, and Molano Benavides is proud to be part of such an elite group. He is looking forward to competing in more major cycling events and continuing to show the world what he is capable of as a cyclist.
19. Rui Oliveira
Rui Filipe Alves Oliveira is a professional Portuguese cyclist, who is currently part of the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. He is perhaps best known for his participation in the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, where he took part in the scratch event.
His twin brother, Ivo Oliveira, is also an accomplished track cyclist, having competed in a range of international events. The two brothers have been involved in cycling since a young age, making them both highly skilled and experienced competitors.
Despite their shared passion for cycling, the two brothers have followed different paths in the sport, with Rui competing internationally and Ivo focused on racing in Portugal.
Together, they make up a formidable presence in the cycling world and are sure to continue achieving success in the years to come.
20. Ivo Oliveira
Ivo Emanuel Alves Oliveira is a professional racing cyclist from Portugal. He is currently part of the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. He has had success on the international stage, having competed in the points race at the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
Ivo is a twin, and his brother Rui Oliveira is also a successful track cyclist. Both of them have competed on the international stage, showcasing their immense talent. It is clear that the Oliveira brothers are a force to be reckoned with on the cycling circuit.
21. Jan Polanc
Jan Polanc is a Slovenian former professional racing cyclist who raced for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates from 2013 to 2023. During his career, Polanc achieved great success, becoming a two-time Giro d’Italia stage winner.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short after he had to retire in May 2023 due to cardiac scans revealing heart irregularities. Polanc had a remarkable career in cycling, particularly during his time with the UAE Team Emirates.
During his time with the team, he won two stages at the Giro d’Italia, a prestigious annual multi-stage bicycle race held in Italy.
He also achieved several top ten finishes in other races, including the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour of Austria.Unfortunately, Polanc was forced to retire in May of 2023 due to medical complications.
Cardiac scans revealed irregularities in his heart that could not be ignored, leading to his retirement from professional cycling. Despite this, Polanc remains an inspiration to cyclists everywhere, having achieved great success in his sport despite having to retire early.
22. Adam Yates
Adam Richard Yates is an exceptional athlete in the world of cycling. He is a British professional road and track racing cyclist, and currently rides for UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
Yates has achieved great success in his career, most notably in 2016 when he placed fourth overall at the Tour de France, becoming the first British rider to win the young rider classification.
His success was even more remarkable considering the fact that he accomplished this feat one year ahead of his twin brother Simon Yates, who was also a professional cyclist.
This was a remarkable accomplishment for both brothers, and it showcased their talent and dedication to the sport. Yates has continued to impress in the years since his success in the 2016 Tour de France.
He has earned a number of podium finishes at various UCI WorldTour and ProTour events, as well as other prestigious races.
His dedication to the sport has allowed him to remain at the top of his game, and he has become an inspirational figure for aspiring cyclists around the world.
In addition to his accomplishments on the bike, Yates has also become well-known for his philanthropic endeavors; he frequently donates money to various charities and organizations.
Adam Richard Yates is an impressive athlete who has achieved a great deal of success in the world of professional cycling.
His dedication and determination have allowed him to reach the top of his sport, and his accomplishments serve as an inspiration to aspiring cyclists around the world.
His success has also allowed him to spread his reach beyond the cycling world, as he continues to make an impact in the lives of those less fortunate.
23. Marc Soler
Marc Soler Giménez is a professional cyclist from Spain. He currently competes for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, a professional cycling team. Soler Giménez has had a successful career as a cyclist, having won numerous races since his professional debut in 2013.
He has also competed in the Vuelta a España, one of the most prestigious cycling events. Soler Giménez has also represented Spain in the World Championships several times, achieving some impressive results.
He is an incredibly talented cyclist and is sure to continue to make a name for himself in the cycling world.
24. George Bennett
George Bennett is a highly successful professional road racing cyclist from New Zealand. He is currently part of the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
Bennett has achieved great success in his career, being crowned the winner of the 2017 Tour of California, the 2020 Gran Piemonte and the 2021 New Zealand road cycling championships.
He has also earned the honor of representing his home country at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. Bennett has proven to be an outstanding cyclist with numerous titles, and his commitment to excellence has earned him recognition around the world.
25. Finn Fisher-Black
Finn Fisher-Black is a professional racing cyclist from New Zealand. He is currently riding for UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates, one of the top teams in the professional cycling world.
His success in the sport was helped along by his older brother, Niamh Fisher-Black, who is also a professional racing cyclist. Finn has been able to benefit from Niamh’s expertise and guidance, which has helped him to reach a high level of success in the sport.
Finn has been riding competitively for several years and has had a strong showing in races. He has had a few wins and has been consistently placing well in races.
His strong performances have earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of cycling fans around the world. He is a rising star in the sport, and with his dedication and drive, he is sure to make an even bigger impact in the coming years.
26. Luke Plapp
Lucas Plapp is a professional cyclist from Australia. He is an accomplished road and track cyclist who is currently riding for UCI WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers. This team is one of the top professional teams in the world and has riders from all over the globe.
Plapp has achieved many successes throughout his career, including wins in the Tour Down Under, the Tour of Denmark, and the Tour of Britain. He also holds a number of national titles and records.
His impressive accomplishments have made him one of the most respected riders in the cycling community. Plapp is well known for his passion and commitment to the sport, and his dedication to training and competition is unparalleled.
He is an inspiration to many and his determination to reach the top of the sport has earned him the respect of fans and fellow cyclists alike.
27. Oliviero Troia
Oliviero Troia is a professional cyclist from Italy. He currently rides for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
In July 2018, he became part of the start list for the Tour de France, one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world. Troia has had a long and successful career in the cycling world.
He has won numerous competitions, including the Italian national championship in 2016 and the Tour of Slovenia in 2017.
He has also been part of many international teams, including the Italian national team and the UAE Team Emirates. The Tour de France is an annual cycling race that takes place in France and its surrounding countries.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious cycling events in the world, and it attracts cyclists from all over the world.
When Troia was named in the start list for the Tour de France in July 2018, it was a great honor for him and his team. Troia is passionate about cycling and is committed to training and competing in the sport.
He is an inspiration to all athletes, and his success in the sport is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
28. Massimiliano Napolitano
Massimiliano Napolitano is an Italian professional racing cyclist. He is well known for his success in cycling competitions such as the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
Napolitano began his career as an amateur cyclist in the early 1990s and went on to join the professional circuit in 1999. That same year, he made his first appearance in the Tour de France, one of the most prestigious cycling races in the world.
He was able to make it to the finish line in the twelfth position, proving himself to be an incredibly talented cyclist.
Napolitano has since gone on to participate in numerous cycling races, including the Giro d’Italia, and has even been the recipient of awards for his achievements.
He continues to compete in cycling events today, showing the world his incredible talent and dedication to the sport.
29. Igor Arrieta
Igor Arrieta Lizarraga is a professional cyclist from Spain. He is currently signed to the UCI ProTeam Equipo Kern Pharma, a World Tour team based in Spain. Arrieta Lizarraga is a well-respected cyclist who has been competing since 2016.
He has competed in many major races, such as the Vuelta a España, and has achieved great success in them. He has also been part of the Spanish national team in various competitions, including the World Championships.
He is a strong rider with a great ability to climb and is also known for his tactical prowess and versatility. He is a valuable asset to the team and is expected to have a long and successful career.
Conclusion
The United Arab Emirates has some of the best cycling players in the world. These players have proven themselves on the international stage and have showcased their talent to the world.
The UAE cycling team has achieved great success and the country should be proud to have such talented athletes. With the right support and guidance, these cycling stars of the future could become stars of the present as well.
