Riders compete during a test event conducted by the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF) ahead of the official launch of the new season.
David Nicholas secured the victory ahead of Qatar’s star rider Ahmed Al Bourdainy in a test event held at Al Thakira on Friday as Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF) warmed up ahead of the new season. The new season will be officially launched on October 13.
Nicholas finished with a time of 1:35:06 in his winning attempt while Al Bourdainy grabbed the silver ahead of Mohammed Farhan Al Farizi who completed the top three podium finishes at the Al Thakira Youth Centre.
The test event was conducted under three categories for men and two for women.
Podium winners of the first category, gold medallist David Nicholas (centre), Qatari national team’s rider Ahmed Al Bourdainy (silver) and Mohammed Farhan Al Farizi (bronze) pose for a photograph during the medal ceremony at Al Thakira Youth Centre on Friday.
The race started at 6.30am and 115 local and foreign riders pedalled over a distance of 61km in their bid to warm up for the busy season ahead.
Lain Garnell from team Rasen Velostar won the gold medal in the second category in 1:46:56 ahead of his team-mate David Jones who bagged the silver while Khalid Hammouda who rides for the Qatar national junior team won the bronze medal.
The third category saw the largest number of cyclists taking part, including members of the junior team of Qatar Cycling & Triathlon Federation.
Walberto De La Cruz won the gold after clocking 1:52:46 while Qatar Junior rider Zaid Hamza finished second. Mohammed Nabhan was third.
Participants of the cycling event conducted by the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF) pose for a photograph along with officials at Al Thakira Youth Centre on Friday.
Jamal Al Kuwari, General Secretary of the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation, said: “The Board of Directors of QCTF have discussed the agenda of sports season (2017-2018). Fans will get to see a number of cycling and triathlon events, including road race and mountain bike events, in the new season. The federation has paid much attention on Triathlon events and is encouraged to see the rise in the number of new participants”.
“The federation also encourages and support riders to participate in international triathlon events.” He said.
“We would like to thank Royal Air Maroc for sponsoring the Cycling League. This is a reflection of the depth of partnership and cooperation between the federation and Royal Air Maroc and the successes achieved by the two sides, which were supported by the local and foreign press, and by the media people during the ongoing coverage, which will continue to underline the successes of the Federation and its official partners and sponsors (Rayyan natural water)” he added.
The Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation have included triathlon (swimming, cycling and running), mountain and criterium races in the season this time.
