100km Dukhan event held, ‘bigger races to come’

QCR founder Farhan al-Sayed and event co-ordinator Ben Keane with winners Mousa Said and Louisa Lobigs. Runners-up Abdulrahman Jarboua and Hamad Afif also received their trophies.

By Joey Aguilar/Staff ReporterQatar Chain Reaction (QCR) has said it will organise bigger cycling events and competitions in the coming months following the successful staging of the 100km Dukhan Road Race Championship 2014. About 100 cyclists, including members of the Qatar national cycling team and people from various expatriate communities, had joined the race.QCR founder Farhan al-Sayed told Gulf Times that this number is expected to increase in future competitions with more people getting interested in cycling. In fact, international competitions such as the Ladies Tour of Qatar are being held in the country. “There will be more exciting races here considering that Doha is a hub for international sporting events and host of the 2016 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships,” he stressed.He also said such sporting activities provide a boost to local cycling as they promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Mousa Said, who took the second spot at another race in Losail, won in the Open Elite category this time followed by his colleagues Abdulrahman Jarboua and Hamad Afif. “It was fun riding in Dukhan and very challenging for all of us who love our passion,” noted Said. Louisa Lobigs was the favourite to win the Open ladies event and she did so by beating Caroline and Wajeeha.Lobigs now wants to test her capability by competing against Qatar national team members in the next races.Al-Sayed believes that the participation of national team members will raise the level of competition and help upgrade the skills of local cyclists.He also announced that Qatar Extreme Sports’ BMX bikers and skateboarders will join the Rota Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun Day event at the Museum of Islamic Art Park today.These sporting activities have attracted numerous enthusiasts from various expatriate communities, including children and women.The Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) recently formed a 25-member developmental team for its 2016 UCI Road World Championships bid. The female cyclists were 13 and 21 years old and currently undergoing rigorous training near Losail International Circuit. QCF has earlier announced that it also hired Pia Sundstedt, a former Finnish rider, as their coach.“Our eventual aim is to have them ready for the world championship,” said QCF general secretary Majed al-Naimi.