Saturday 07 / September / 2024
Muscat: Austria’s Uwe Hochen Warter dominated the proceedings for the second successive day at the TransHajar Mountain Bike Race winning the second stage to stay well ahead of his competitors on Tuesday.
In the second stage, which saw the riders pass through Saih Al Dhabi via the mountains of Al Amerat to Al Hajar, there was no stopping the rider from Germany-based Craft Rocky Mountain Factory as he covered the 93km race in two hours, 28 minutes and 22 seconds to retain the lead in the four-stage 321.6km race.
Hochen Warter’s nearest rivals Christian Rosvig Hogh and Jacob Lykke Grann try as they failed to catch up the leader.
Hogh as well his Danish compatriot and Pronghorn Racing teammate Lykke Grann rode much faster than they did on Day 1, both averaging 32.5 kmph as against their speeds of 18.4 kmph in the first stage, but still had to satisfy with the second and third places respectively. On Tuesday, both clocked 2:51:18.
Hochen said: “The race was very fast, although it demanded great stamina to sustain the speed. I did not face any problems, which made it easy to cross the distance and stay ahead of my competitors.”
Local rider Hatim Al Booshri of Royal Army of Oman said that the track was difficult.
“Hundred meters before the finish, I faced stiffness in my muscles, which made it difficult to finish second,” he said.
However, he said that he regarded it as a success to finish among the best international cyclists and that he regarded it as a motivation to give even more during the next stages of the race. He added that this race is an opportunity to test his endurance.
“The next two stages will demand even more endurance and, God willing, I’ll try my best to keep the technical capabilities I showed in the first two stages”, he said.
Omani woman rider
Fatima Al Shaidi, an Omani woman rider, is thrilled with the experience of competing in the demanding race.
She said: “Participating in this race is a unique and outstanding experience. It is very different from other races”.
Stating that she is glad to compete with 20 other riders, including seven women cyclists, she added: “We are participating for the first time. But thanks to God and thanks to the good preparations and efforts of the technical committee, all went very well.”
The 60km third stage takes place on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Saif Al Rushaidi, Head of Oman Cycling Association (OCA), spoke about the great support that the OCA has received from both government and private sector to successfully organise of the race.
“This kind of races need special preparations and they demand a lot of support, in the form of equipment, cars, tents and other technical tools,” he said.
Al Rushaidi expressed his gratitude to the Royal Army of Oman and the Royal Oman Police (ROP) for their support.
He also thanked Quriyat Hospital for providing the necessary staff and an ambulance and to the General Directorate of Muscat Municipality in Quriyat, which offered a lot of support.
