Arab Delegation Visits Riyadh to Oversee Preparations for Arab Road Cycling Championship

The meeting is part of the inspection visit as the date for hosting the Arab Road Cycling Championship 2023 approaches. SPA
The meeting is part of the inspection visit as the date for hosting the Arab Road Cycling Championship 2023 approaches. SPA
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Arab Delegation Visits Riyadh to Oversee Preparations for Arab Road Cycling Championship

The meeting is part of the inspection visit as the date for hosting the Arab Road Cycling Championship 2023 approaches. SPA
The meeting is part of the inspection visit as the date for hosting the Arab Road Cycling Championship 2023 approaches. SPA

President of the Saudi Cycling Federation (SCF) and Vice President of the Arab Cycling Federation (ACF), Abdullah Al-Wathlan, met with a delegation of the ACF, headed by Secretary-General Ismail Al-Hosani.

The meeting is part of the inspection visit as the date for hosting the Arab Road Cycling Championship 2023 approaches.

The championship is scheduled to take place from December 15 to 23 in Riyadh.

During the meeting, Al-Wathlan expressed the SCF’s eagerness for further cooperation with ACF to contribute to organizing an exceptional edition and providing an exemplary experience for more than 300 players representing 13 countries. They will compete in this Arab event, overseen by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The visit included inspection tours covering the race routes scheduled over seven days, totaling 730 kilometers.
This encompassed the accommodation for delegations, technical and arbitration needs, as well as the final preparations and arrangements to welcome the Arab teams.



Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.