Hegra Cycling is always coming up with something new. In the almost never-ending urge to globalize, Saudi Arabia is now also being developed. The Saudi Tour is taking place for the second time. This year it leads through the ancient necropolis of Hegra near the desert town of Al Ula in the west of the country. The professionals are even sent over gravel roads through the necropolis.
“The race is part of Vision 2030, with which we want to diversify our country’s economy,” says Hussam al Khalifa, representative of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sports. He came all the way from the capital, Riyadh, to add weight to the race and proudly says: “Paris-Dakar just ended here. Now we have a big bike race like the Saudi Tour.”
But the race isn’t that big yet. Only eight of the 19 World Tour racing teams are at the start, the absolute top stars such as Tour de France double winner Tadej Pogacar or world champion Julian Alaphilippe are missing.
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