MY WORKING LIFE

Emirati cyclist Yousif Mirza has represented the country in the Olympics. Next dream: Tour de France.

Yousif Mirza, an Emirati rider with UAE Team Emirates, reveals his dreams, why the wheels of his bicycle cost $2,000, and chatting with his teammates ahead of next week’s Dubai Tour.

As a kid, were you always pedalling around? My first love was football, but then I got fascinated with bicycles seeing my elder brother Badr cycle. I was nine when I began riding and some of my earliest memories are of pedalling around the streets in Khor Fakkan, despite the worried face of my parents who considered the roads too dangerous for a kid. Later when I grew up, I began to watch as many races as possible, mostly on a smartphone, because they didn’t broadcast many races on TV.

When did things turn serious?

In 2009, when I rode in a Qatar Continental team; I attended a Tour of Qatar that year. There was a moment during that race that I thought: “Yes, cycling could be a serious part of my life.” I changed my mentality and over the years raised my personal goals.

What makes a good cyclist?

You must have a passion for the bike and for riding – bear all the efforts connected with cycling, especially with competitive bike races. I always loved the idea of going around on a bike, exploring the land whilst enjoying my favourite sport. That was the primary motivation for me.