By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR), a cycling group based in Doha, has recorded a huge increase in the number of cyclists and enthusiasts participating in most of their races this year.
"More than 100 cyclists, including those from various expatriate communities and from other GCC countries, usually participate in a number of race categories held almost every other week," QCR founding member Ben Keane told Gulf Times.
One of the recent races was in Dukhan, organised around a new route. “It was a really tough route with some very strong winds blowing against us all day,” he recalled. Keane believes it is the best route for cycling in Qatar.
He was also pleased with the formation of the “Cookie Club,” a separate group of riders designed specifically for beginners and those who are recovering from injury (slower riders).
“I was part of this group for some weeks recovering from a broken collarbone,” Keane said. The QCR official also cited their partnership with the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), which has been supporting their group.
QCR is set to hold a full programme of events early next year and plans to hold a social ride on January 16 from Al Ruwais to Abu Samra (Qatar's land border with Saudi Arabia). It will be followed by road races and time trials in different venues.
Asked about his wish list for 2015, Keane said he wants to see QCF finance and build a velodrome for cyclists.
“With the World Championships due to be staged in Qatar in 2016, this building will help keep the momentum to continue and bring cycling to the fore in Qatar,” Keane pointed out.
The QCR official was also of the view that a velodrome is needed to encourage young Qataris to take up cycling. It is an arena for track cycling with a temperature-controlled environment, making it a “perfect venue” to train enthusiasts at an early age.
He also expressed optimism that the Qatar Cycling Team will continue to grow.
Keane’s Giant Ride Team bagged the fifth place at the recently held Tour of Al Zubara while their colleague Yousef Mirza won the White Jersey.