DOHA: Qatar’s Abdullah Afif yesterday won the stage on day two of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Cycling Championship.
It was the seventh stage of the GCC event. Yesterday’s stage started and finished in Madinat Al Shamal after the riders had completed a distance of 103.3kms.
Afif clocked a time of one hour and 49 minutes and 35 seconds and finished ahead overnight winner Yusuff Al Mansoori of the UAE.
Al Mansoori clocked a time of 1 hour and 49 minutes and 38 seconds.
Qatar’s Musa Khalfan finished third in a time of 1 hour and 49 minutes and 39 seconds.
Yesterday’s stage was contested by a group pf 32 riders.
At the end of stage seven, Mohamed Al Mansoori has the leader’s yellow jersey whereas Ahmed Al Mansouri has the green jersey. Veteran rider Yusuf Mirza of the UAE has the red jersey. Mohammed Abdul Hakim retained the white jersey dedicated for the best young (under-23) rider.
Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), which is hosting the event, will conclude the Qatar leg today.
Afif said he was pleased with his performance.
“I am happy that I crossed the finish line ahead of other big names,” Afif said yesterday.
“Overall it was a stiff test for me and my team. But we were focused. Our concentration helped us to do well,” he added. “It was a windy day, no doubt. I thank my team mates for their help and guidance,” he said. Tariq Ismail, Qatar coach, said he was thrilled with the riding of his young cyclists. Today’s final stage will be held in Dukhan. The riders will complete a distance of 98.kms.
THE PENINSULA
