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Abu Dhabi: Omar Yousuf Al Mansouri, a 22-year-old policeman hailing from Al Hamra in Umm Al Quwain, won the 80-km His Highness The President's Cup cycling championship held near the Emirates Palace Hotel yesterday.
The UAE national team cyclist was in a class of his own as he sped away from the rest of the pack in the final four laps to win the 26-lap 80-km race in a timing of one hour 55 minutes and 14 seconds.
Omar, who lapped a bunch of cyclists in the penultimate stage, finished over two minutes in front of the 2005 President's Cup winner Tariq Obaid Murad from Al Nasr Club who was involved in a dead-heat with Yousuf Mohammad Al Mirza, one of the pre-ride favourites.
Big win
Al Nasr went on to win the team championship and later, UAE Cycling Federation President Shaikh Faisal Bin Hamad Al Qasimi distributed the trophies and medals to the winners.
"This is a big win for me and I owe it to all at Al Arbi Club," said Omar, who won a 110-km event in Fujairah three weeks ago.
"I was looking for a top three finish and it was quite tough as the heat was quite severe. "I decided to take the lead in the last five laps and that tactic paid off," said Omar, whose average speed for the 80-km event was 41.73 km/h.
Well after Omar had crossed the finish line, a group of eight competitors, four from Al Nasr Club, three from Al Ahli and one from Al Arbi, were all involved in a searing finish. Tariq and Yousuf clocked a similar 1:57.43.
Risk
"I had won this race in 2005 but today we adopted a different approach.
"We were more keen to win the team title so I didn't want to risk it," said Tariq Obaid Murad, who works in Dubai Immigration.
"I am happy that we won the team championship and my second-place finish helped in that. I have to thank my officers at Dubai Immigration for all the support they have given me," said Tariq, who is also part of the UAE national team.
Al Nasr went on to win the team championship and later, UAE Cycling Federation President Shaikh Faisal Bin Hamad Al Qasimi distributed the trophies and medals to the winners...
Results
His Highness President's Cup 80-km cycling championship:
- Omar Yousuf Al Mansouri (Al Arbi Club, UAQ) 1hr 55 mins 14 secs;
- Tariq Obaid Murad (Al Nasr Club, Dubai) 1:57.43;
- Yousuf Mohammad Al Mirza (Al Ahli Club, Dubai) 1:57.43
Team Champions: Al Nasr Club, Dubai
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