Tough test awaits cyclists at Al Adaid Desert Challenge

The hugely popular Al Adaid Desert Challenge will be held on March 3, organisers said yesterday.
To be held over a distance of 40kms, the gruelling off-road event is expected to draw more than 250 entries, top officials confirmed yesterday.
Known as the Gulf’s toughest one-day cycling event, the Qatar leg has been officially added to the UCI calendar of events, Dr Jamal Al Khanji, Managing Director of Al Adaid Desert Challenge, said during a press conference yesterday.
The action on March 3, will unfold from Sealine to Khor Al Adaid, with riders encountering 6 dunes along the race route, Al Khanji added.
A total of $50,000 is up for grabs.
The event is organized by the Qatar Cyclists Centre (Qatar Cyclists) under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture & Sport, and is supported by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
Last year, 179 riders - including 52 Qatari entries - took part in the event. A total of 48 Filipino riders also provided fans with top-class riding and running on the day of the event.
The organisers said registration for the race is open now.
"I would encourage fans to get going. They must enter now as most of the participants will compete with hours of training behind them," Al Khanji said. "The last day of registration is February 28," he added.
Marked as a UCI C3 Cross Country point-to-point race, it will cover 40km of desert track - that will also include 'sinking sand' along the way - from Sealine to one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders, the ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid.
"The one-day desert challenge provides off-road cyclists a good combination of fun and hard work among the participants," Al Khanji said.
"It's also a way of simply enjoying the outdoors on a bike. It is a spectator-friendly event and riders are encouraged to invite their friends and families to join them for the day in the desert," he added.
Spectators are allowed to drive along the route (except prohibited areas such as the race sand dunes) and welcome the riders at the finish line, after which they can enjoy the afternoon together. The event also offers a fun non-competitive kids’ race at the finish area which also promotes family engagement.
“The Al Adaid Desert Challenge attracts visitors and residents to one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders by offering a unique challenge, exciting sports and fun activities for families. QTA is proud to be supporting the seventh edition of this annual event which has steadily grown over the years, and promises to contribute to the country’s efforts to develop the sports tourism sub-sector in Qatar,” Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QTA, said in a statement.
"It is a great honour that our event is recognized by the government as one of the most compelling events with potential for tourism. Our goal is to attract international participants and we will direct even more energy in achieving this," Al Khanji said.
"One of the steps towards this goal was done by placing our event in the UCI calendar. We are preparing packages that will ease travel and accommodation for riders coming to Qatar. I am positive they will return home with great memories and stories to tell,” he added.
Besides the gruelling sand dunes, there are several sandy patches on the flat surfaces,which makes the race even more challenging. The length of the race might not be extreme, but every sand dune, each patch of sand demands something new from the riders. To be competitive, riders need be extremely fit, have an optimally set-up bike, choose the best path and sometimes also be lucky.
The event has the sponsorship backing of QNB, Ethicon, Ooredoo, Rayyan Natural Water and partners: Qatar Cycling Federation, Rassen Adventure Shop, Mawater, GMC, Carbon Wheels, Royal Riviera Hotel, Qatar Airways.