Qatari rider Ahmed Al Bourdainy (centre) winner in the fifth stage of the 2012 GCC Cycling Tour receiving his trophy from an official in Qatar, yesterday. Al Bourdainy finished the fifth stage ahead of UAE’s Hamaid Al Sabbag and compatriot Hamad Afif. The fifth stage started at Camel Race Track and ended near the Qatar-Saudi border at Abu Samrah after the riders completed a distance of 120km. RIGHT: Al Bourdainy poses for a group picture along with his team-mates and officials of Qatar Cyling Federation.
DOHA: Qatari rider Ahmed Al Bourdainy yesterday won the fifth stage of the 2012 GCC Cycling Tour.
It was the second successive day for the Qatari riders to emerge on top in the region’s top cycling event.
Yesterday’s fifth stage started at Camel Race Track and ended near the Qatar-Saudi border at Abu Samrah after the riders completed a distance of 120kms.
Al Bourdainy finished the stage ahead of UAE’s Hamaid Al Sabbag and compatriot Hamad Afif.
The next two rounds of the 2012 GCC Cycling Tour will be held in Bahrain.
Yousef Mirza of the UAE holds the leader’s yellow jersey. Mirza, who finished the fourth stage on Tuesday in second place, also has the red jersey.
Salman Mohammed of Bahrain holds the white jersey while Ahmed Al Mansoori of the UAE has the green jersey.
After the end of the fifth stage, Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) Secretary General Magid Al Naimi said: “Our riders have done well over the two days but they could have done even better.”
Al Naimi added: “The UAE riders are doing well in this year’s championship. Their rider has the yellow jersey. I think we can put in a better performance when we reach Bahrain and Kuwait.”
The QCF official said the Qatar squad had trained well but he ‘sought’ better results. “See, they have trained well, but I want to see greater purpose in their racing. I am hopeful of a better show in the last two rounds,” Al Naimi said.
“We have a busy three-four month period starting January (2013) and we will be taking part in many races. I am sure our riders will get more experience and show better results,” Al Naimi added.
The Peninsula
