DOHA: Qatar cyclists picked up six medals and signed off from this year’s GCC Track Cycling Championship in style, managing a number of podium finishes in the event contested by five teams from the region.
The top cycling competition was held at Sharjah Velodrome and attracted riders from all GCC countries except Saudi Arabia.
Qatar finished in second spot overall with four silver and two bronze medals.
Riders from the UAE ended the event at the top place with 12 gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
Oman were third with two silver and two bronze medals.
Overall, Kuwait were fifth, also finishing with two bronze medals.
In the four-kilometre chase on the last day of the championship, Qatar picked up the silver medal in a time of 4:44.96 to finish behind the UAE, who won gold (4:39.98).
The Bahraini team claimed third place in a time of 5:48.31.
Qatar also picked up a silver in the seniors’ time trial on the last day. UAE won the event in 50.414secs and Qatar took the silver in 52.224secs. Bahrain were third (59.428)
Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) Secretary General Magid Al Naimi accompanied the squad on the UAE trip.
Qatari riders, who underwent a gruelling three-month summer training camp across Europe last year, will also be aiming for medals at the 33rd Asian Cycling Championship to be held in New Delhi in March.
Branko Filip is the Qatari coach. THE PENINSULA
