Qatar’s Abdul Hakim retained the white jersey for emerging top rider in U-23 category. Right:   Qatar’s Ahmed Bassam al-Bourdainy celebrates his third stage win, while UAE duo of Khayam al-Balooshi and Abdullah Ali al-Hasanni completed the podium. PICTURES: Jayaram

By Sports Reporter/Doha


Qatar’s Ahmed Bassam al-Bourdainy won the third stage of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Men’s Senior Cycling Championship yesterday.
One of Qatar’s experienced rider, al-Bourdainy topped the 98.4km stage around Dukhan in a time of 2 hour 25 minutes and 9 seconds to finish ahead of UAE duo of Khayam al-Balooshi and Abdullah Ali al-Hasanni.
Yesterday’s stage win was Qatar’s second win out of three days after Qatar’s Abdulah Afif’s win in the second stage on Saturday.
Qatar’s Abdul Hakim retained the white jersey for emerging top rider in the U-23 category. UAE’s star Yousef Mohamed Mirza clinched the red jersey, while compatriot Ahmed Yousef al-Mansouri bagged the green.
Mohamed Yousef al-Mansouri of the UAE grabbed the leader’s yellow jersey as he emerged the overall winner.
The event was staged by Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) and now QCF will turn focus on the 3rd Tour of Zubarah which will be held from December 16 to 19.
Al-Bourdainy said he will feature in the Tour of Zubarah that starts later this week. “We are happy with our performance during the GCC competition and hope for a better show in the Tour of Zubarah,” he said.
Qatar’s team will comprise Khalil Abdul Rahman Jinan, Khalfa Musa and Abdullah Afif.
Qatar coach Tariq Ismail also lauded the efforts of his riders. “I think our riders did well during the Qatar leg of the tournament,” Ismail said.
More than 32 riders from across the region featured over three days of competitions. The GCC cycling family applauded QCF for their hospitality during the three-day event that began on Friday.
QCF secretary general Ahmed Hamidi said: “This was a memorable stage for the riders who provided immense thrill throughout the championship. The riders from the UAE were very competitive. They provided attacking riding most of the times. It was the same on the last stage also.”