Carbon Wheels’ Nichols claims Al Kheesa XCO

David Nichols of Carbon Wheels Racing won the Open/Elite class of the
Al Kheesa XCO - first event of the five-race Mountain Bike event - in Al Kheesa trail.
Nichols clocked 1:19:04 to finish ahead of teammate Davy Muller, who clocked 1:22:11. Carla Pregigueiro emerged winner in the ladies class with an impressive time of 0:52:52.
The TriClub Doha rider easily completed three laps of the race. Ceren Hancioglu (Solo) finished second 14:44.31 seconds off the time set by winner. Maricar Estacio of UFMBQ - Banayad MTB came third with a timing of 1:32:31.
The course is a dry terrain mix of flats, sand pits, natural and artificial obstacles, inclines, and descents with a one lap distance is equivalent to five kilometres.
Riders from the Open category endured a gruelling six laps of the route, while the age category riders and ladies category completed three laps and beginner completed one lap.
Though the race route might be short and the lap counts maybe few, but since the summer heat of Qatar is still here and with the technical features of the race course, the race was really tough with only 107 riders finishing while the other 19 abandoned the race.
The Al Kheesa XCO Race was organised by United Filipino Mountain Bikers Qatar (UFMBQ) and Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF) in partnership with Rayyan Water. Qatar Chain Reaction provided the chip timing system.
UFMBQ is an active organisation of Filipino mountain bike enthusiasts.
Officially established in 2014, but they have been actively organising mountain bike races events for the whole mountain biking community since 2013, contributing to the development and rising popularity of the Mountain Biking sports here in Qatar.
With the rising popularity of the sport, QCTF had step up the level of competition by organising the first ever Qatar Mountain Bike League in partnership with UFMBQ.
QCTF aims to develop the sport of mountain biking and to develop local talents for these kinds of competition.
Winners of were presented their prizes by QCTF Secretary-General Jamal al-Kuwari.
The Qatar Mountain Bike League is a series of five Mountain Bike Races showcasing the local off-road cycling tracks of Al Kheesa, Al Khor, Duhail, Lusail and Al Wakrah. Jamal al-kuwari, Secretary General of the QCTF, handed over the prizes to the winners of each category.
Results
Open/Elite
David Nichols (Carbon Wheels Racing) 1:19:04 Davy Muller (Carbon Wheels Racing) 1:22:11 +   03:07
Clark Arvin Andrada (UFMBQ - SMCC Apo Lakay) 1:24:50 + 05:46
U23 (3 Laps)
Ernie Daniel Francisco (UFMBQ - El Padyakero) 0:48:57
Joshua Salonga (UFMBQ - Braveheart) 0:52:32 +   03:35
Age 23 to 34 (3 Laps)
Carlo Maniebo (FIT-Q) 0:43:41 Guillermo Gonzalez Bordalas (Be Fitness) 0:43:41 +   00:00
Cristopher Surigao (UFMBQ - PCCQ) 0:43:48 +   00:07
Age 35 to 40 (3 Laps)
Allan Navarro (Solo) 0:47:29
Allan Macalalad (UFMBQ - BPMQ) 0:47:59 + 00:30
Jonathan Ochoa (UFMBQ - PCCQ) 0:48:21 + 00:52
Age 41 & Above (3 Laps)
Fernan Louien anciado (UFMBQ - BPMQ) 0:44:55 -- 37
Rogelio Jr. Fernandez (Solo) 0:46:16 + 01:21 31
Saleh al-Muhannadi (Qatar Cyclists - Lusail Team) 0:47:06 + 02:11 26
Ladies (3 Laps)
Carla Pregigueiro (TriClub Doha) 0:52:52
Ceren Hancioglu (Solo) 1:07:36 + 14:44
Maricar Estacio (UFMBQ - Banayad MTB) 1:32:31 + 39:39
Beginners (3 Laps)
Eleazar Juta (UFMBQ - Team Industrial) 0:13:34
Monico Jr. Calabiao (UFMBQ - PCCQ) 0:13:44 + 00:10
Ruel Bandong (UFMBQ - BPMQ) 0:14:43 + 01:09