News | National championship | Team • April 5, 2026
Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali crowned UAE national time trial champion for the second time
UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z rider defends his title in the United Arab Emirates, with teammate Mohammad Almutaiwei in second place
In the 30km-long test against the clock, Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali of UAE Team Emirates was crowned the national time trial champion of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. In doing so, the Gen Z rider defended his title from 2025, marking himself as the strongest ITT rider from the UAE.
Jasim Al-Ali finished the race with a time of 35 minutes and 19 seconds, giving him an average speed in excess of 50km/h. Hailing from Umm-al-Quwain, Jasim Al-Ali is now a two-time national champion of the United Arab Emirates.
Sunday’s race was made all the sweeter for UAE Team Emirates-XRG with the performance of Jasim Al-Ali’s teammate, Mohammad Almutaiwei. The 22-year-old, hailing from Dubai, rode to second place in the ITT National Championships. Almutaiwei trailed Jasim Al-Ali’s time by 90 seconds, emphasising the strength of the winner’s performance.
With both Jasim Al-Ali and Almutaiwei valued members of the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z squad, and graduates of the ADNOC Accelerators programme, the results on Sunday serve to highlight the talent pathway from the United Arab Emirates to the top tier of cycling.
Both riders have ridden for the UAE Team Emirates-XRG WorldTour squad in recent seasons, and have used this experience to full effect by stepping up to the mark at the National Championships.
Reflecting on his second national title, Jasim Al-Ali was delighted with his performance on Sunday.
Jasim Al-Ali: “This was my second race with the Elite category, and I went in with one goal — defend the title. It wasn’t easy. Strong competitors, a demanding course with some climbing, and powerful headwinds made it a real battle. But Alhamdulillah, deep down I believed I could do it again.
“This race means a lot to me — especially knowing that if I won I will be wearing the UAE national champion’s jersey around the world, I’m raising my country’s flag high. That’s something I take a lot of pride in, and today was one of those goals I set for this season — achieved.”
Photographs courtesy of Essa Alblooshi, @bicycles_pictures on Instagram.
National Championships United Arab Emirates Men’s Elite ITT results:
1. Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) 35:19
2. Mohammad Almutaiwei (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) +1:30
3. Ali Eissa Alhammadi +1:51
