Cyclists in action during the Al Khor XC MTB Race.
Doha: After a long hiatus due to a season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in March, followed by the long summer, mountain bike racing finally returned to Qatar on Friday with the Al Khor XC MTB Race 2021 – and it was one for all ages, as epitomized by the Mullers family.
Janine Muller, a South African national, was the first winner of the newly introduced ‘Megawoman’ category, while her husband Robin joined the Masters category, their eldest son Noah won 5th place in the Youth U16s, and their youngest, Luke, in the Kids 6-7 category.
Janine commented, “This was another amazing event, as we have come to expect. Superbly organised and such a fantastic ‘vibe’!”
Race organiser, UFMBQ really go out their way to make these events fun and the whole family can enjoy racing outdoors together. In fact, there was jump in number of youth participants, with over forty taking part and many experiencing off-road riding for the first time.
Janine’s Megawomen win came in one of four categories which accommodate women of all fitness and experience: From Open for the fastest, though the so-called weekend warrior for the less serious, to a one-lap beginners race.
It was in this latter category that Noor Al Maadeed, became the first Qatari woman to experience in the local MTB racing scene. Noor represents the growing numbers of citizens coming from other cycling discipines to enjoy grassroots level racing. At the sharp end of the racing, Rasen Adventure Shop’s team dominated the Open Men and Women Categories.
Former Finnish international Pia Sunstedt won the Open Women's class ahead of three teammates. Frederick Feliciano, a former Philippine National Team cyclist and Kees Wouters of the Netherlands won the Men Masters and Under 40 categories respectively.
The Al Khor ‘Playground’ trail, constructed by UFMBQ’s Team El Padyakero, features a series of small climbs and descents and is one of the country’s most scenic, incorporating tall grassland, mangrove swamp and overlooking Al Khor bay and the Purple island.
Qatar Cycling Federation commended the race management team from UFMBQ and their volunteers for a job well done in organising the event and in mapping, marking, preparing, and maintaining the trail.
The event was sponsored by Rasen Adventure Shop, Rayyan Water and Sports Corner.
Results:
Open U40: 1st Kees Wouters (NED); 2nd Nayef Al Mesallam (QAT); 3rd Aditya Prasetyo (INA)
Open Masters: 1st Frederick Feliciano (PHI); 2nd Miguel Varela (ARG); 3rd David Pwambok KEN
Open Women: 1st Pia Sundstedt (FIN); 2nd So(PHI)e Clarke GBR; 3rd Julie Melville (AUS)
Youth U16: 1st Younes Abdulghani (EGY); 2nd Nabil Bin Aminurashid (SGP); 3rd Aria Pesurnay INA
Men U40: 1st Jun Jun Labastida (PHI); 2nd Sheri Moideen IND; 3rd Christian Hidalgo (PHI)
Men Masters:1st Jun Brizuela (PHI); 2nd Dennis Dalupang (PHI); 3rd Voltaire Solamo (PHI)
Men Veterans: 1st Camilo Ancheta (PHI); 2nd Melchor Ribad (PHI); 3rd Danilo Cruz (PHI)
Women Grade B: 1st Letecia Pasion (PHI); 2nd Mamiya Ajero (PHI); 3rd Olga Robes (PHI)
Beginner U40: 1st Almond Jay Gonzales (PHI); 2nd Phillip Mora (PHI); 3rd Nolan Jay Agacid (PHI)
Beginner 40+: 1st Noel Mostera (PHI); 2nd Sherwin Macatangay (PHI); 3rd Arnel Marcos (PHI)
Beginner Women: 1st Vanessa Calara (PHI); 2nd Analie Bloor (PHI); 3rd Leah Katherine Camacho (PHI)
Megaman: 1st Mark Doneza (PHI); 2nd Hamad El Baghdadi (LBN); 3rd Jiervhone De Leon Lagaso (PHI)
Megawoman: 1st Janine Muller (RSA); 2nd Malica Meshael (PHI); 3rd Kristen Uhde (RSA)
