DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s first-ever amateur cycling team, Rabdan, has partnered with property developer Arada ahead of the 2023-2024 racing season.Founded in 2016, Rabdan Cycling Team consists of 10 core racing members and 20 community riders, all of whom are Emirati. The team was named after the first horse of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the late president of the UAE. It was chosen by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, national security advisor of the UAE. As well as being one of the first amateur teams in the UAE, Rabdan Cycling Team is also one of the most successful, having won the UAE Vice President’s Cup, the Seih Al-Salam Race and other major championships locally. Arada’s support will enable Rabdan Cycling Team to register for local races, insure bikes, pay for team kit, and allow members to attend a training camp in Italy. In addition, Rabdan will also train at the new Masaar Track facility in Sharjah, which has been developed by Arada, on a monthly basis during the new season. The first session took place on Thursday Sept. 28. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, group CEO of Arada, said: “Our partnership with Rabdan underlines our commitment to healthy, active living, which we promote in all our communities. We look forward to welcoming Rabdan Cycling Team to Masaar Track, where they will be able to train in a professional, welcoming and natural environment.” Dr. Mohammed Al-Eissaee, co-leader of Rabdan Cycling Team, said: “This partnership with Arada will enable us to improve our performance, take part in more races both here in the UAE and internationally, and achieve even better race results. We’re also looking forward to testing out the new circuit at Masaar, which is a fantastic new facility for the sport here in the UAE.” Masaar Track consists of a 6.6-km looped professional circuit that runs through the woodland on the outskirts of the Masaar community, in the up-and-coming Al-Suyoh district of New Sharjah. The track is one of a number of entertainment, leisure and sporting facilities within the Masaar master plan, which contains 3,000 villas and townhouses and more than 50,000 trees. The first homes at Masaar will be completed at the end of the year.