The annual Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament’s 75km cycling race proved to be a thrilling event on 16th June. The race, which took in five 15km loops around the Meydan racecourse, saw victory for Trek’s Ali Awad Mussabah Al Ketbi in the men’s event and OutdoorUAE’s very own Helle Bachofen Von Echt in the hotly contested women’s race.
It was UAE national Al Ketbi’s first competitive race, and victory was not certain until the finishing straight sawa sprint finish with Expo 2020’s Ali Abbas Abdullah Ghulam Al Baloushi. “This is such a special moment for me,” said Al Ketbi after the victory. “It is less than two years since I started training. This is a huge push for me to take this sport more seriously as I can see myself developing in the next few years.”
In the women’s event, spectators were treated to a thrilling finale, with no clear leader until Denmark’s Von Echt powered over the finish line in a final burst of energy. “This is the third time in three years that I am participating in this race,” said Von Echt. “I was determined to win it this time after two disappointments in the past couple of years. In the first year I was involved in a crash and last year I finished second last as I was fatigued after over-training. But this year everything fell into place and I am so thrilled to be on the podium at last.” Last year’s winner, Aimee Wright, came third, whilst second place on the podium belonged to Sarah Maina.
Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director of NAS Ramadan Sports Tournament, and Osama Al Shaffar, president of the UAE Cycling Federation, gave away the prizes to the winners.
RESULTS:
Men’s 75km
1. Ali Awad Mussabah Al Ketbi (Trek UAE — 1:47.22)
2. Ali Abbas Abdullah Ghulam Al Baloushi (Expo 2020 — 1:47.28)
3. Ahmad Mohammad Humaid Al Ali (Trek UAE — 1:47.36)
4. Rashid Mohammad Ghulam Murad Ali (Expo 2020 — 1:47.49)
5. Majid Khalfan Al Jahowari (Abu Dhabi Team — 1:48.19)
6. Jassim Al Muhairi (UAE — 1:48.19);
7. Khalid Al Suwaidi (Team Sabri -1:48.20)
8. Nayef Hassan Ahmad Al Marzooqi (Abu Dhabi Team — 1:48.20)
9. Ahmad Al Marri (Heavy Pedal — 1:48.20)
10. Abdullah Hussain Farhan (UAE — 1:48.20)
Women’s 75km
1. Helle Bachofen Von Echt (2:00.13)
2. Sarah Maina (2:00.14)
3. Aimee Wright (2:00.14)
4. Natasha Leask (2:00.14)
5. Johanna Van Hattum (2:00.14)
6. Rosin Bridget Thomas (2:00.14)
7. Najlaa Al Jeraiwi (2:00.14)
8. Akemi Hoshimaikranz (2:00.15)
9. Tafra Mohammed Habash Bamere (2:00.15)
10. Shaikha Eisa Juma Rashid (2:00.15)
Words by: Rachael Bruford
