NEOM Titan Desert 2024 Gathers Global Athletes

The NEOM Titan Desert 2024, held from November 18 to 22, brought world-class cycling action to Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region. In its third year, the event showcased the kingdom’s growing presence in the global sporting arena. NEOM is Saudi Arabia’s giga-project in Tabuk, which will become a futuristic city bigger than Dubai.

About NEOM Titan Desert 2024

This year’s race spanned 380 kilometers and featured nearly 3,000 meters of elevation gain, challenging even the most seasoned cyclists. Specifically, the competition began with a 12-kilometer prologue, setting the tone for four grueling stages. Notably, the final stage traversed NEOM’s stunning Nature Reserve, a first for the event, where riders navigated diverse landscapes.

Among the 242 participants from 24 countries, cycling legends Peter Sagan and Daniel Oss took center stage. Sagan, a three-time world champion, drew global attention to the event, boosting its profile on the international cycling stage. Meanwhile, UCI Road World silver medalist Oss demonstrated his prowess, inspiring competitors and fans alike.

In addition to international stars, Saudi talent shone brightly. In particular, the Saudi Cycling Federation collaborated with NEOM to ensure that 20 Saudi cyclists competed alongside global athletes. This initiative demonstrated the nation’s dedication to developing local talent and positioning Saudi athletes on the world stage.

Victories by Luis León Sánchez and Tessa Kortekaas were among the event’s major highlights. Sánchez’s resilience and strategic riding earned him the top spot in the men’s category. Meanwhile, Kortekaas displayed remarkable endurance to clinch the women’s title.

A hub for world-class sports

Jan Paterson, Managing Director of NEOM Sports, emphasized the event’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

“With events like NEOM TITAN Desert, NEOM strengthens its reputation as a hub for world-class sports, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030,” he remarked. “The competitions under the NEOM Beach Games banner continue to draw the world’s finest talent, further establishing NEOM’s credibility and trust in supporting high-performance athletic events.”

In addition, Titan World Series CEO Jesus Garcia, highlighted the beauty of Saudi Arabia’s natural landscapes and congratulated all cyclists.

“As with every year, NEOM never ceases to amaze us. This is our third TITAN Desert here and we continue to be astonished by the beauty and unique identity of this territory,” he said.

“It has been a record-breaking edition, with 242 TITANs riding spectacular desert landscapes and enjoying the superior comforts of the TITAN Mountain Camp. They are all winners for crossing the finish line of this extraordinary adventure. Congratulations to all of them. We are counting the days to be part of this wonderful experience again.”

NEOM and its sporting events

Following NEOM Titan Desert 2024’s success, NEOM held the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup NEOM on November 23. Specifically, the event gathered 70 athletes from 17 countries, featuring 37 male and 33 female competitors. Some notable swimmers who participated were Paris 2024 Olympics gold and silver medalists, Kristof Rasovszky and Moesha Johnson.

Photo: Saudi Press Agency