Farhan al-Sayed joins winners of the Dukhan Race during the awarding ceremony held recently.


By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter


Cycling events and competitions for regular cyclists as well as enthusiasts will continue this summer, Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR) founder Farhan al-Sayed has told Gulf Times.
To prove this, al-Sayed has announced that the Qatar Cycle Federation (QCF) will organise the Shamal Road Race near Al Shamal Sports Club early morning today.
About 100 cyclists of QCR and members of the Qatar national team will be participating in the event.
The race will have three categories, including Elite (107km), Open – Men and Women (71km) and Weekend Warriors (35km).
“Cycling events are growing in Qatar and we have at least 15-20 cycling events in a year,” al-Sayed stressed.
He said the rising temperature will not be a hindrance in holding such sport events as races are usually held early in the morning and evening during the summer.
Many cycling groups in Qatar hold weekly rides to Al Khor and Lusail with the same timings, which also serve as their training sessions.
The recent competitions, he added, have given many enthusiasts from different expatriate communities an avenue to engage in a unique adventure that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Qatar, being the host of the world road race championship in 2016, will boost cycling as a sport and create new sponsorship deals, according to al-Sayed. It will be one of the biggest events to take place in the Gulf region.
He also lauded the new infrastructure for bicycles such as cycling and running paths, attracting many people to do biking.
QCR recently held its Dukhan Race, which gathered around 100 contestants who competed in different categories.
Dubai resident Jamie Lowden won the Men’s 100km Elite while Australian national Louisa Lobigs won the Ladies Elite category, both cyclists representing Team Ride/GMS Powered by Giant.
Other winners included Ladies WW – Noor Attallah Barkji from the Qatari Ladies Team, Men’s WW – Restie Cervania from Team Pinoy Roadies Qatar, and Men’s Masters – Jock Hughson from Team Ride/GMS Powered by Giant.
“We’re happy to welcome the Qatari men’s senior national team, the Qatari Junior men’s national team and the newly formed Qatari ladies team along with the usual teams from various groups,” said al-Sayed, also the founder and patron of Qatar Extreme Sports and Pinoy Roadies-Qatar.