DOHA: Qatar’s Ahmed Bassam Al Bourdainy yesterday won the third stage of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Men’s Senior Cycling Championship after a pulsating stage.
One of Qatar’s finest riders, Al Bourdainy topped the 98.4km stage in a time of 2 hours 25 minutes 09 seconds. He finished ahead of UAE duo of Khayam Al Balooshi and Abdullah Ali Al Hasanni.
The third stage started and finished in Dukhan.
Yesterday’s stage win was Qatar’s second win out of three days. On Saturday, Qatar’s Abdulah Afif won the second stage.
Qatar’s Abdul Hakim retained the white jersey for emerging as the top rider in the U-23 category. UAE’s Yousef Mohammed Mirza nailed the red jersey while compatriot Ahmed Yousef Al-Mansouri bagged the green jersey.
Mohammed Yousef Al Mansouri of the UAE emerged as the overall winner, grabbing the leader’s yellow jersey. The event was staged by Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF). Now QCF will turn focus on the 3rd Tour of Zubarah which will be held from December 16 to 19.
Al Bourdaniny said he will feature in the Tour of Zubarah that starts later this week.
Qatar’s team will include Khalil Abdul Rahman Jinan, Khalfa Musa and Abdullah Afif.
Qatar coach Tariq Ismail said his riders ‘did well’. He confirmed his riders will be ready for this week’s Tour of Zubarah.
More than 32 riders from across the region featured over three days of competitions.
The GCC cycling family applauded QCF for their hospitality at the three-day event that began on Friday.
Ahmed Hamidi, Secretary General of QCF, yesterday told media: “This was a memorable stage for the riders who provided immense thrill throughout the championship.”
He added: “The riders from the UAE were very competitive. They provided attacking riding most of the times. It was the same on the last stage also.”
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