Brouq MTB Race

The Ras Brouq MTB Race 2026 marks an exciting finale to this year’s Brouq Season — a signature outdoor festival presented by Visit Qatar that has transformed the Ras Brouq desert on Qatar’s west coast into a vibrant destination for adventure, culture, and family fun from 26 November 2025 to 17 January 2026. 

The Brouq Festival, set against the dramatic landscape of Ras Abrouq with its stunning rock formations, sweeping coastal views, and UNESCO-protected Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve surroundings, has offered visitors a rich mix of experiences ranging from cultural workshops, live entertainment and traditional desert activities to adventure zones and glamping experiences. 

As the festival draws to a close on 17 January 2026, the Ras Brouq MTB Race will cap off this extraordinary season — bringing together cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and spectators for a test of endurance and skill across the unique desert terrain. Organized by the Qatar Cycling Federation and proudly sponsored by Visit Qatar, this mountain bike race celebrates sport, nature, and the spirit of community in one of Qatar’s most captivating natural landscapes.

MAIN INFORMATION

• Location: Brouq Festival - Zekreet

• Race Date: 17 January 2026 (Saturday)

• Timings: 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Organizers: Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation & Visit Qatar

• Sanctioning Body: Qatar Cycling Federation

HOW TO GET THERE

• Location: Deep into the Zekreet Desert, Beside the Film City

• LOCATION: [CLICK HERE]

• NOTE:

  • The only way to get there is by Car.

  • You'll need to arrange your own transportation

  • Parking is available in designated areas (follow the signs)

  • Avoid Taxi or Uber due to the remote location

  • You'll need a car pass to enter the location (Collection TBA)

  • Participating Cyclists get a free access to the venue (Brouq Festival)

CATEGORIES & LAPS

6-Lap Race (30 km)

• Male Elite (19 & Up)

• Amateur Male Under 40 (19-39)

• Amateur Male 40+ (40 & Up)

5-Lap Race (25 km)

• Amateur Male Juniors (15-18)

• Amateur Female Under 40 (19-39)

• Amateur Female 40+ (40 & Up)

4-Lap Race (20 km)

• Amateur Female Juniors (15-18)

Note: Categories may be merged if fewer than five riders are registered. 

AWARDS

• Cash Prize (TBA) and Podium Medals for ALL categories listed above

  • Male Elite (19 & Up)

  • Amateur Male U40 (19-39)

  • Amateur Male 40+ (40 & Up)

  • Amateur Female U40 (19-39)

  • Amateur Female 40+ (40 & Up)

  • Amateur Male Juniors (15-18)

  • Amateur Female Juniors (15-18)

• Cash Prize (TBA) and Trophy for Overall Qatari

  • Overall Qatari Amateur Male 19-39

  • Overall Qatari Amateur Male 40+

  • Overall Qatari Amateur Female 19 and above

• Award Ceremony: at the Brouq Plaza

• Official Results will be published on the QCTF website & Social Media.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

• 07:00 AM - Gate Opens. Race course open for warm-up

• 07:30 AM - Riders check-in, Bib & Timing chip collection opents

• 08:45 AM - Team Managers Meeting/Briefing

• 09:00 AM - Race Start by Waves (every 30 sec.)

  • Wave 1: Male Open (6-lap race)

  • Wave 2: All Male Amateurs (6-lap race)

  • Wave 3:  Male Juniors & All Female Amateurs (5-lap race)

  • Wave 4: Female Juniors (4-lap race)

• 11:00 AM - Cut-Off

• 11:00 AM - Awards Ceremony

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change depending on the day's situation

RULES AND REGULATIONS

This event is organized in accordance with the UCI MTB Regulations - Part VI and the regulations of the Qatar Cycling Federation.

Equipment

• Mountain Bikes only

• No electric assistance (NO e-Bikes)

• Helmet is compulsary at all times while riding.

• Handlebar ends must be plugged.

• No glass containers/bottles allowed

• Bikes may be checked before and after the race

General

• All riders must wear a helmet at all times while riding.

• The race number should always be displayed in the front of your bike.

• Riders must use a race-ready mountain bike (minimum 26-inch wheels, front suspension recommended – but not mandatory).

• No e-Bikes or motor-assisted bikes are allowed.

Conduct

• Riders must follow the course at all times.

• Cutting the trail or unsportmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.

• Overtaking must be done safely – riders should announce their intent (“On your left/right”)

• Respect fellow riders, volunteers, and officials.

Technical and Feedzone

• Mechanical assistance and feeding are allowed only in designated zones (Start/Finish Zone).

• We will only have a single Water Station on the route (Located after the Finish zone area). Please bring an extra water bottle.

• No outside assistance on other parts of the course.

• Strictly NO LITTERING inside the race course (the venue is a protected area; it is strictly forbidden to leave any trash on the race course)

Timing & Results

• Electronic timing with active timing chips (No chip – No Result – DSQ)

• Lost Chip = 300 QAR

• Live Splits available while the race is in progress, Final Results published after each race.

• Any protest must be submitted in writing (protest form) within 15 minutes of preliminary results posting.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Entry ticket to Brouq Festival (only for participants)

  • Non-Competing companions needs to purchase separate tickets through the VISIT QATAR WEBSITE

• Electronic chip-timed Race Bib Number.

• Water Station at the Start/Finish

• Medical Support

• Course Marshals

• Race Gifts for all registrants (TBC)

• Awards for Top 3 Finishers in each Category

WHAT TO BRING

• Race-ready mountain bike (note: there is no mechanic assistance iniside the race course)

• MTB Shoes/Trail Shoes

• Helmet (no helmet, no racing)

• Sunglasses & Sunscreen

• Personal Transportation to and from the event

• Hydration Pack / Water Bottle

Safety & Medical Services

• Official medical service on-site.

• Ambulance present during the race.

• Marshals positioned at critical points.

• Emergency access routes established.

• Riders must respect all safety instructions.

Environmental Protection

• Littering is only permitted in designated littering zones. Violations may result in fines up to 10,000 QAR.

• Respect nature and wildlife.

• Leaving the marked course is forbidden.

• Environmental penalties maybe applied by commissaires.

Protest & Appeals

• Protest must be submitted in writing

• Deadline: 15 minutes after official results

• Protest fee according to UCI regulations

• Decisions made by the Commissaires' Panel

IMPORTANT NOTICE

• Only Participating Riders gets free entrance to the venue (Brouq Festival)

• Non-Participants needs to buy a ticket separately only via the VISIT QATAR WEBSITE