UCI confirms Abu Dhabi 2028 'will definitely be a sprinters' World Championship'

It's good news for the sport's sprinters as a UCI representative confirms that the Abu Dhabi World Championships in 2028 will be flat, despite the planned construction of an artificial climb close to the Emirati capital, which is still happening but apparently for tourism rather than specifically for pro racing.

"It will definitely be a sprinters' World Championship," Belgian UCI director Peter Van Den Abeele told Sporza at the UAE Tour. "It was President David Lappartient's request to make it a sprinters' festival. It's been a while since there's been a World Championship for sprinters.

"There might be a 100-meter hill on the course, but that's it. It's been too long since sprinters stood on the podium wearing a rainbow jersey. The flat World Championships are coming, and the sprinters can rest easy."

The Belgian former pro also confirmed that a brand new velodrome complex is being built in advance of the 2029 Track Worlds: "It's the most beautiful velodrome on the planet. The building, the architecture, and the track itself are stunning. It's not fully finished yet, but they're still working on a rooftop climb for outdoor cycling."