RIYADH — The Sports Boulevard Foundation (SBF) will be a main partner of the third edition of the Saudi Tour – a marquee race in the international cycling calendar taking place across the heritage site of AlUla from January 30 to February 3.

Sixteen elite teams from around the world will compete in the race across an 830km, five-stage course.

The Sports Boulevard partnership with the Saudi Tour will help highlight the project’s vast ambitions for Riyadh to competitors, spectators, and the Kingdom’s cycling community.

The announcement came shortly after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Cycling Federation (SACF), aiming at exploring opportunities for cooperation, exchanging best practices, and spreading awareness of the culture of cycling across the Kingdom.

CEO of the SBF Jayne McGivern said: “We are proud to underline our ongoing commitment to enhancing the culture of cycling across Riyadh and the Kingdom by partnering with this prestigious Saudi Tour event. It is wonderful to see some of the world’s best teams and competitors racing here in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Tour marks a unique stop on the cycling calendar and we are sure will inspire the next generation of cyclists here in the Kingdom.”

The SBF is one of Riyadh’s four mega projects launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in 2019. It has the goal of making Riyadh one of the top 100 cities in the world by 2030.

The project will extend for more than 135km and includes 4.4 million square meters of greenery and open spaces. This includes a network of safe and naturally landscaped pathways for cyclists, pedestrians, and athletes alike, exceeding 85 km for amateurs and 135 km for professionals. It will encourage its citizens to follow a healthy lifestyle through exercise and participation in various sporting activities. — SPA