Riders compete on day three of the GCC Road Cycling Championships near the Losail international Circuit yesterday. Picture: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Riders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a cycling powerhouse in the region, clinched the top three spots in the Junior Class on the penultimate day of the GCC Road Race Championships.
UAE's Hamad Abdullah Al Mahri clocked a time of 2:07.09 to grab the first spot in the 80.5kms race. He was followed to the finish line by compatriot Rashid Abdullah Suwaidaan (2:07.12).
In the third place was Abdullah Abdulkareem, also representing the UAE.
Bahrain's Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullah (2:10.50) and Qatar's Farhan Alfaraizi (same time) completed the top five in the Junior Class Road Race.
Earlier in the day, the honours in the Cadets Class (46kms) went to Saudi Arabia's Abdurrahman Al Sultan (1:18.14). Bahrain's Jassim Mohammed Hussain (same time) sealed the second spot while compatriot Ali Nasir Ahmed (same time) completed the top three.
Bahrain's Abdullah Ibrahim Hassan (same time) and UAE's Rashid Al Mansoori (same time) finished in fourth and fifth spots respectively.
In the overall team standings (cadets and junior), the UAE (6:21.33) sealed the top spot followed by Saudi Arabia (6:46.03) and Bahrain (6:50.37).
Today is the last day of the four-day event being organised by Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF).
Today's Elite Class Road Race will commence at 8:00am. In all, the Elite class riders will complete a distance of 117.2kms.
QCG President Dr Mohammed Al Kuwari was present at the prize distribution ceremonies yesterday. Top regional cycling officials were also present.
"So far we have seen interesting battles in what has been windy conditions," QCF Secretary General Jamal Al Kuwari said.
"These are not easy cycling conditions but we have witnessed strong riding from the UAE cyclists. They have done well," he added.
"Farhan (Qatar's best rider in the Junior Class) did well. He was fighting well until the end," another QCF official said.
Today regional cycling giant Yusif Mirza will be aiming to win the Elite Class.
The 28-year-old UAE cyclist on Wednesday won the Elite Class Individual Time Trial ahead of his brother Badar Mirza. Mirza has tasted success in events before the on-going championship, tasting success at will.
