Multiple Tour de France stage winner Erik Dekker captured victory in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) MTB Elite Race at the second edition of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge in Qatar this past weekend.
Dekker took victory in the Qatar Cyclist Centre-organised event in 1:11:39 over the new 38.6km course that included six testing sand dunes.
New Zealand’s Roman Van Uden and French national MTB marathon champion Frederic Gombert finished second and third respectively in times of 1:14:53 and 1:22:59.
“I love the race, I love the challenge. I broke from the pack 3km after the start near the first dune. I waited for Van Uden since it is long way to ride alone for 30 km, but then realised I was much faster on the dunes,” said Dekker, who visited Qatar with his wife.
“It is really nice to come to Qatar from Europe at this time of year. Qatar has great weather, city and beautiful desert… it’s great to combine your visit of the country with the event. I would recommend it to everyone.”
The women’s event was won by Qatar resident Pia Sundstedt in a time of 1:30:03. The Finnish mountain bike star, who won multiple UCI MTB World Cups during her career beat Australia’s Julie Melville.
“As a rider experience it was perfect… the atmosphere is amazing. The new finish was nice, especially the last sand dune, from where you could see the water and the finish line. Riding down the dune was real fun. I had a support from my husband and son. We all enjoyed in the event,” Sundstedt said.
In addition to the elite’s, the race also saw over 240 amateur riders register and 200 compete on the day. Riders competed in mountain bike, fat bike and Qatari national’s categories.
As many as 30 Qatari nationals took to the start line of this epic desert challenge. The battle for the title of top Qatari rider was very tight, with victory was decided on the last sand dune of the race, with Mubarak Alajji taking a close win as Saleh Almuhannadi and Ahamd Alsubaey finished second and third respectively within 20 seconds. The Qatari ladies event was won by Tala Abujbara.
Garmin Sinking Sand, a special race organised on an 800 meters long sandy patch, was also won by Dekker who managed to get out the most of his special sand bike.
Omar al-Jaber, director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the principle partner of the event said, “The Al Adaid Desert Challenge’s ability to draw participants from 15 countries and 39 different nationalities to a hidden gem in the Qatari desert is testament to the power of sport in bringing people together to share unique challenges and experiences. QTA is delighted to be supporting a sporting event which promises to contribute to the growing sports tourism sub-sector in Qatar.”
He added, “We are particularly proud of the Al Adaid Challenge as a Qatari-owned and founded initiative, which has steadily grown over the years.”
Event managing director Dr Jamal al-Khanji said, “I would like to thank everybody who came to the event from all around the world to participate. It was very interesting race and I hope all the riders enjoyed it. We are happy that our event is growing bigger by the year. This would not be possible without our sponsors and supporters Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Tourism Authority, QNB, Ethicon, Ooredoo, Rayyan water, Qatar Cycling Federation, Mawater, Rassen Sport, GMC, Garmin, Royal Riviera Hotel, Carbon Wheels, Qatar Airways.”
Qatar Cyclists Center president Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari said, “This race is the most important event for Qatar Cyclists. It is a very special event for the nation as it is hosted in one of our most beautiful and iconic locations in the desert, Khor Al Adaid.
“We really enjoyed organising the event, as it presents a unique challenge for participants, both local and the growing number of international participants, travelling from afar to take on this new must do race on the UCI MTB calendar.”