Photo via Cyclingnews

'What feels wrong deep in my heart can't keep going on' – Peloton's only hijabi rider quits cycling for religious reasons

Safiya Al Sayegh, the United Arab Emirates’ sole professional cyclist wearing a hijab, has retired from competitive racing after a decade in the sport. The 25-year-old, who joined UAE Team ADQ in 2022 as the team’s only Emirati rider, won multiple national titles and stood on the podium at the Asian Continental Championships before representing her country at the Tokyo Olympics.

Though she transitioned to UAE’s development team in 2026, her decision to step away was driven by personal values, particularly her commitment to modest dress as a practicing Muslim. Al Sayegh, who helped mentor younger Emirati riders through initiatives like the UAE Talent Program, cited an internal conflict between her faith and the demands of professional cycling, writing that ‘what feels wrong deep in my heart can’t keep going on.’ Her departure marks the end of a groundbreaking career as the first Emirati woman in the professional peloton, where she also advocated for greater representation from the Middle East in the sport.

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