• Home
• /
• Opinion

When I was part of the cheering squad for UAE Tour 2021

We learnt that the cyclists of the ongoing UAE Tour 2021 would be riding past the route.

City roads are relatively empty on Friday afternoons, so we decided to step out for a tiny, socially distanced break i.e. just a drive with the two of us, the husband and I. We stopped by at a petrol station at The Last Exit, Al Qudra, to grab a coffee and to fuel up the tank. We were just about to leave when a cavalcade of sorts arrived and systematically blocked the outgoing-incoming traffic at the roundabout. We were curious, for simultaneously we heard and saw a helicopter hover above us, followed by a drone dotting the skies as well. On the roads, the excitement was now palpable. We joined in.

We learnt that the cyclists of the ongoing UAE Tour 2021 would be riding past the route. We’ve all seen people cycle, haven’t we? And we’ve all cycled ourselves as well, right? But the scene that unfolded next was one out of a postcard. I’d say it was our fortune that we were there; right place, right time, especially later when I saw the video of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, waving at the sportsmen. I beamed with pride even though I was only an ordinary spectator here. But then, any sport is about two parties, the player and the spectator, right? And here the spectators were mostly children, and their enthusiasm was addictive and reflected happiness and positivity.

On Friday, the cyclists were on their sixth stage of the UAE Tour 2021, with the ride having started at noon from Deira Islands. The tour started on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. From my television viewing, I knew that the cyclists ride with a certain posture but watching them literally in a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance was magical. Cycling requires core strength, which experts suggest means you don’t put the full body weight on the hands; keep elbows slightly bent. They rode in what I’d like to declare were the most beautiful rows of humans in proximity, in action. The swift wheels and the hues of their sportswear took over the road for a few seconds and whoosh, they were out of sight!

Children stood in neat rows, as parents stood beside them with mobile cameras in hand, ready to capture the scenes. Everyone began to applaud and for a second it felt like we were in a stadium, with everyone cheering on their favourite players and teams. The individuals manning the food trucks at the venue too decided to shut shop for a few minutes to absorb the spirit as well. We all supported and became part of the event and waited for them to take a U-turn and return on the other side of the road. The roads were cleared thereafter, and the traffic began to move seamlessly within seconds. The ambience made me feel like I’d won a trophy and everyone around me had gathered to applaud my win. There’s something beautiful about being part of a cheerleading squad, and I loved the experience.

purva@khaleejtimes.com