The event on February 11, 2024 has in fact attracted important and promising names from the international XCO scene, who will ride on the circuit of the sports facility in search of precious points for qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Source: press release
The first edition of HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island, sponsored by Modon, will take place from 9 to 11 February 2024, a weekend dedicated to mountain biking, which has attracted the interest of many important names of elite athletes, thanks to the XCO Class 1 test which will count as the assignment of important and useful points for the qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In fact, at the start of what is the only UCI mountain bike race in the Middle East, the flags of 21 nations will be flying, represented by the best exponents of the XCO discipline who will compete on Sunday 11 February on the Trail X track on the island of Hudayriyat, in Abu Dhabi.

Among the confirmed entrants for the Olympic Cross Country race, the name of three-time world road cycling champion Peter Sagan stands out, who has never hidden his ambition to conquer an Olympic podium in the discipline in which – after abandoning road cycling – he made his debut as an elite biker.
THE HEROES
The men's starting grid Cross-country Olimpico has 14 national champions and three continental champions: David Campos for Europe, Ben Oliver for Oceania and Philip Buys for Africa.
“I am really looking forward to the inaugural HERO Abu Dhabi,” said Buys. “This will also be my first visit to Abu Dhabi and I am very excited to be racing in the area. I think it will be a unique event and different to other XCO races, and I am happy to be among the first riders to take part in this exciting event. The very similar time zone and travel distance to South Africa means my journey will not be strenuous, which made my decision to take part easy. Add to this the high level of organisation and the dates, which fit in perfectly with my preparation for the rest of the season.”
Among the other names present also the Italian Luca Braidot, current Italian national champion and winner of the world bronze last year, who declares: “I will arrive at the Abu Dhabi race after a month of preparation in Liguria, first with the Italian national team and subsequently with my team. My condition obviously won't be at the top yet, but I want to do well. I already had the opportunity to view the route in November, certainly one of a kind, I liked it a lot, especially for its location. It will be a very fast and spectacular race with many riders who will be able to play for the victory.
I can't wait for February 11th to start my season and play my cards.”
Also fighting for the podium are Gustav Pedersen, Danish XCO national champion, and Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo, Colombian XCO national champion.
THE HEROINES
The women's field is also very high-profile, with reigning Italian XCO champion Martina Berta, who already holds the 2023 world title in the discipline. Also on the same elite grid are Danish Sofie Pedersen, current European Under23 XCO champion, and Ingrid Jacobsen, seven-time Norwegian XCO national champion, currently reigning and ready for her start to the season: “I can't wait to visit and race in Abu Dhabi, it will be my first race of the season, and I'm sure it will be a lot of fun!”

Challenging them are the UCI World Series champion Lejla Njemčević, ready for her second HERO experience, and the Australian Rebecca Henderson.
“Racing in Abu Dhabi is a really exciting opportunity for me. My initial plan was to stay in Australia for the whole summer, but when this opportunity arose I couldn't refuse. It will be my first race of 2024, so I will go with no expectations, just opportunities. After flying there many times, I can't wait to finally visit the UAE and start my 2024 season.” states Henderson.
AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT
XCO races Cross-country HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island will have live TV coverage on sports channels in 11 countries across 46 continents. The XCO races will also be broadcast online on Red Bull TV.
