Riders and officials pose for a group photo after the opening round of MTB racing season held in Al Khor.
The season-opening race signaling the start of the MTB racing event in Qatar took place in Al Khor, this weekend featuring exciting action.
Only 161 riders out of 180 mountain bikers finished the race on the challenging course.
This race used the all-new xc circuit track designed and laid out with the help of Team El Padyakero of UFMBQ.
Rider Nicolas Wohlwend of Liechtenstein said: “The route is an exciting combination of quite technical sections with some fast pace parts next to the mangroves forest of Al Khor and some surprisingly steep climbs. The race itself was a lot of fun with around 50 participants in my category alone, 180+ in total. Due to the heat, the second half of my race was a real challenge - thanks to all the volunteers handing out water bottles.”
Neil Melville (UK), a veteran in Qatar’s cycling races both Road and MTB commented the race as a brutal first bicycle race of the season while Michael Anderson (South Africa) of Team Rasen Adventure shop lauded the race organisers for the track that was well laid out with lots of different challenges.
Tunisian triathlete Mehdi Mersni of Team Al Bidaa, who was non-stop training and competing on multi-sports in and out of Qatar even during the peak of the summer season, won the Men Open category. He is also the overall winner in terms of Fastest Lap and most Laps done for this race. Consequently, he got the KOM Badge in STRAVA for this route.
Iran riders, who are just visiting Qatar to try out the mountain bike circuit race, Mohammed & Taregh Abdolrahman Hermi won the 1st and 2nd place respectively in the Men Under 30 category.
Another first-timer in Qatar’s MTB scene, Cornelis Jan Wouters (Netherlands) won the Men Under 40 category. It is also worth mentioning that he got his 2nd podium of that day winning 2nd place for the Torch Stairway Run after the MTB race yesterday.
Rasen Adventure Team Riders, Denrei Catalan of Philippines & Jaco Anderson of South Africa topped the Masters (40 & Above) & Veterans (50 & above) categories respectively. Team Bike To Work cyclist Mel Christian De Vera (Philippines) won the 1st Place for Men Novice category.
With the introduction of additional handicap categories for women, we had managed to involve more lady participants in the mountain bike racing scene. Former UCI Pro rider Pia Stundstedt (Finland) of Team Rasen Adventure Shop still proves her prowess in mountain bike racing by winning the Open Women category. She also finished with the most laps for women in this race.
Rowena Ruiz (Philippines) of Team Doha Chiqlistas won the Women Weekend Warrior category while South African Helena Corby won the Women Novice category.
