Riyadh – BETH

The qualifying rounds of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 2025 concluded yesterday, Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Riyadh — hosted by the Kingdom for the first time, organized by the Saudi Cycling Federation, and supervised by the Ministry of Sports, at Boulevard City, with the participation of more than 230 riders representing over 40 countries.

The third day witnessed intense competition in the Men’s Elite Trials qualifiers, Men’s Flatland qualifiers, and the Men’s Elite 26 Trials semifinals, in addition to the four-group Men’s Park qualifiers, and the Women’s Flatland qualifiers, with 34 riders advancing to the final stages.

The championship will continue today, Friday, and tomorrow, Saturday, entering its decisive final phase — amid strong challenges from world champions in this rising global sport. The event reflects the Kingdom’s growing status as a preferred international destination for major sporting events and the creation of new experience-based sports ecosystems.

Sabalenka Eliminates the Defending Champion

On Thursday, the final round of group stage matches continued at the WTA Finals, held at the indoor arena at King Saud University in Riyadh.

In the Singles competition within the “Steffi Graf Group,” American Jessica Pegula defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, securing her place in the semifinals. Top-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka avenged last year’s result by eliminating defending champion Coco Gauff in straight sets as well.

In the Doubles category within the “Liezel Huber Group,” two decisive matches concluded with the qualification of the pairs: Luisa Stefani / Tímea Babos, and Katerina Siniakova / Taylor Townsend to the semifinals.

Post-Match Reactions

Sabalenka: “A winning mentality is the key… and the development in Saudi Arabia is remarkable. The courts here are the best in the region.”

Gauff: “Losing the title is painful… but Saudi Arabia is inspiring the next generation of young girls. I’m also excited to explore the local culture, the desert, and nature here.”

Pegula: “The format and pressure of the Finals elevate the intensity… and competing against this level of global talent pushes performance even higher.”