Get ready for a race that's going to shake things up! The 2028 Road World Championships in Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be a sprinter's paradise, but not everyone is happy about it.
UCI Sports Director Peter Van den Abeele has put an end to the rumors, confirming that the much-talked-about man-made mountain, Al Wathba, will not be part of the course. This decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns among sprinters like Tim Merlier, who fear their chances of claiming a world title are slipping away.
"Every generation of sprinters deserves a fair shot at glory," Merlier passionately argued. "I'm worried that opportunity might never come for me."
Al Wathba, a 1.4-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 6%, has been under construction since 2023. This year, it's set to extend to 2 kilometers, with a brutal final 500-meter stretch reaching gradients of 11%. By 2028, according to Spanish publication Marca, this climb could stretch to a whopping 3.8 kilometers, with incredibly steep ramps near the top.
But here's where it gets even more intriguing: there's another construction project underway on Hudayriyat Island, which aims to be Abu Dhabi's sports hub. Along with an indoor velodrome and cycling circuits, they're building hills—artificial hills, to be precise. Marca describes them as "designer hills" created to add a third dimension to the landscape and provide a cycling challenge that nature didn't offer in the Gulf.
These construction projects have led many, including Merlier, to believe that the playing field is being unfairly tilted in favor of Tadej Pogačar, the UAE's adopted cycling hero. With these soul-crushing climbs rising from the desert, it's no wonder the sprinters are feeling discouraged.
So, is this a fair move, or is it tilting the balance of power too much? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
