The Oman Cycling Association (OCA) concludes its OCA League Championship 2022-23 with the sixth and final race in Sur on Saturday.
The 95km-stage for the Oman LNG Sur Championship will see the overall winners crowned in Open, Youth, Masters and Team categories.
Said al Rahbi of Oman Royal Army is leading the overall standings with 400 points from five stages.
Cycle KOM – NRO’s veteran star Paul Willcox is staying close second with 385 points while Salalah Club’s former winner Mundher al Hasani is third with 340 points.
Faisal al Mamari (278) is fourth and David Hynes (245) is fifth in the overall table.
“I will have to ensure a top three finish above Said to have the overall title with me. We had a good contest during the earlier stages. I will try my best to take the top podium.”
The British cyclist had already ensured the championship in the Masters (40+) category.
“I have already won the Masters title. There is no pressure for me in the final race. I will put in my best to claim the best result possible in the Open category as well,” he told Oman Observer.
Willcox has an unassailable lead in the 40 plus category with team-mates Gregory Pollard (163) in second and Daniel Baldwin (150) in third position. Capital Team’s Simeon Gelacio (83) is fourth followed by Mansoor al Araimi (48) in fifth in the category.
Willcox's Cycle KOM are favourites to take the team crown also in the OCA League 2023 with 260 points. Salalah Club are second on 22 points and Oman Royal Army are third with 180 points.
Oman Club (149 points) are fourth and Bahla Club take fifth spot with 92 points ahead of the concluding race.
OMANI RIDERS DOMINATE U23
Omani riders are dominating the under-23 category with Said al Rahbi in front followed by Mundher al Hasani and Faisal al Mamari. Oman Club’s Islam Ayad (214) is fourth and Cycle KOM’s Bradley Perkins (212) is in fifth position.
During the previous stage, Willcox defended his individual team trial (ITT) crown for a third straight time in the Stage 5 at Wadi Al Abyadh in Nakhal.
The British cyclist stormed to the top of the 24km stage in the South Al Batinah Governorate in 31 minutes and 10.09 seconds.
Team-mate and fellow British cyclist David Hynes took the second spot in 32:40.32 while Oman Club’s Faisal al Mamari claimed third in 33:02.67.
The win enabled Willcox to reduce the deficit against overall leader Said al Rahbi.
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