DOHA: Qatar are pioneers in cycling in the Middle East, retired Belgian star Eddy Merckx (pictured) said yesterday.
The 15th edition of the Tour of Qatar starts today. The hugely popular five-day race is one of many top sports events staged by the Qatari capital every year.
“In 2001, H H the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the person who invited us to start this Tour,” Merckx said yesterday.
“We were received by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and he decided that we hold the Tour of Qatar,” the five-time Tour de France winner said at a pre-event press conference yesterday.
“Ever since then, we’ve had a great collaboration with Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF). The cooperation has been great. This is the 15th edition. We are proud that Qatar will stage the 2016 UCI World Road Championships.
“Qatar are the pioneers in cycling in the region. They staged the first Ladies Tour of Qatar as well. After the events were staged in Qatar, we saw countries like Oman and the UAE following them. We have great sprinters for this event. I am sure we will have a nice race like we did during the Ladies Tour of Qatar (last week),” Merckx, 70, said.
When asked about the worlds route to be used during this week’s Tour of Qatar, Merckx said it was used during last week’s women’s race also.
“One lap is not enough. You can say more when men will ride four laps (during stage two tomorrow). Then you will have a better idea.
“One lap is gone so fast. It also depends on the wind. It is not so easy, but it is very safe. The winds are strong. That can make race difficult for riders. We will get a better idea after riders do four laps. There is no danger at all,” he said.
When reminded about the absense of a few teams at this week’s event, Merckx said: “I don’t think it (their absence) makes any difference. We have the Olympics and the Tour de France. Lot of the riders don’t want to take too much pressure.”
He added: “There is a new race in Valencia. Then there was a race in Australia. There are more races. Teams decide to come or not. Yes, all of this pushes the World Tour. But teams can refuse to come to races.”
The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar are pioneers in cycling in the Middle East, retired Belgian star Eddy Merckx (pictured) said yesterday.
The 15th edition of the Tour of Qatar starts today. The hugely popular five-day race is one of many top sports events staged by the Qatari capital every year.
“In 2001, H H the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the person who invited us to start this Tour,” Merckx said yesterday.
“We were received by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and he decided that we hold the Tour of Qatar,” the five-time Tour de France winner said at a pre-event press conference yesterday.
“Ever since then, we’ve had a great collaboration with Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF). The cooperation has been great. This is the 15th edition. We are proud that Qatar will stage the 2016 UCI World Road Championships.
“Qatar are the pioneers in cycling in the region. They staged the first Ladies Tour of Qatar as well. After the events were staged in Qatar, we saw countries like Oman and the UAE following them. We have great sprinters for this event. I am sure we will have a nice race like we did during the Ladies Tour of Qatar (last week),” Merckx, 70, said.
When asked about the worlds route to be used during this week’s Tour of Qatar, Merckx said it was used during last week’s women’s race also.
“One lap is not enough. You can say more when men will ride four laps (during stage two tomorrow). Then you will have a better idea.
“One lap is gone so fast. It also depends on the wind. It is not so easy, but it is very safe. The winds are strong. That can make race difficult for riders. We will get a better idea after riders do four laps. There is no danger at all,” he said.
When reminded about the absense of a few teams at this week’s event, Merckx said: “I don’t think it (their absence) makes any difference. We have the Olympics and the Tour de France. Lot of the riders don’t want to take too much pressure.”
He added: “There is a new race in Valencia. Then there was a race in Australia. There are more races. Teams decide to come or not. Yes, all of this pushes the World Tour. But teams can refuse to come to races.”
The Peninsula
