Tailwind heaven: Moroccan one-day race tops 56km/h average speed

Strong Saharan winds propel riders at Grand Prix Sakia El Hamra

UAE rider leads the pack in the 2018 Dubai Tour
Ahmed Al Mansoori leads the breakaway in the 2018 Dubai Tour.
(Image credit: Getty)

Moroccan 1.2 race Grand Prix Sakia El Hamra was ridden at full tilt on Thursday, with the winner recording an astonishing average speed in excess of 56km/h. 

UAE-born Ahmed Al Mansoori claimed the honours on the day, completing the 140km course at 56.187km/h (34.91mph) and finishing in under two and a half hours.

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders. 


An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. 


He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.