MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s cyclists bounced back to podium after unimpressive results on the first two stages of the inaugural Tour of Salalah race in Salalah on Thursday.
The 101 km third stage started in front of Al Baleed Archaeological Park — Museum of the Land of Frankincense, and concluded in Qayron Hayriti.
Oman rider Mohammed al Wahaibi grabbed the jerseys for best climber, while Qatar’s Bilal al Saadi claimed the jersey of the U-23 category. UAE rider Jaber al Mansoori kept his blue and green jerseys.
In general individual classification, Jaber was on top followed by Bilal and Mostrafa al Rabie of Saudi Arabia.
In team classification, UAE are on top followed by Saudi Arabia and Royal Army of Oman. Qatar were fourth, Oman-based Elite Team, Capital Team and Cycle KOM -NRO took the spots from five to seven respectively.
It was a virtual photo-finish in the penultimate race of the Tour of Salalah as Qatari national team cyclist Bilal al Saadi won the stage with a time of two hours, 43 minutes and 39 seconds.
Second-placed Said al Rahbi of Royal Army of Oman team, third-placed Jaber al Mansoori of the UAE and fourth-placed Mohammed al Wahaibi of Oman all finished in the same time as the winner.
On Friday, the fourth and the final stage will be held for 109 km from Taqah Fort to Al Saada Stadium. The event is being organised by the Oman Cycling Association (OCA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Office of the Minister of State and the Governor of Dhofar, from September 14 to 17.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony will be sponsored by Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, and in the presence of OCA Chairman Saif al Rashdi.
150 participants representing 14 teams, 10 from Oman and 4 national teams from the GCC are in action at the opening fixture of OCA season 2021-22.
In the third stage, Bahrain rider Hussain Ali came in fifth place (2:43:43). At the same time, the Saudi national rider Ali al Sheikh came in sixth place, followed by the Royal Army of Oman rider Hatem al Bushari, who recorded the same time in seventh place.
UAE national team cyclist Khaled Mayouf came eight in the same time, Royal Army of Oman riders Shehab al Qamshaoui was ninth while Husam al Rawahi finished tenth in the same time.
Abdullah Saeed, technical director of the UAE national cycling team, praised the organisers for the smooth conduct of the three stages.
“The UAE national team was able to perform well despite a short preparation. The Omani cyclists are showing great technical level performance and I am impressed by the interest shown by the Omani clubs and riders to take part in good numbers,” Saeed said.
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