Monday 16 / September / 2024
Muscat: With a number of riders, including overnight leader Uwe Hochen Warter, pulling out with injuries, Pronghorn Racing’s Danish teammates Jacob Lykke Grann and Christian Rosvig Hogh dominated the third stage of the TransHajar Mountain Bike Race on Wednesday.
Craft Rocky Mountain Factory’s Austian rider Uwe Hochen Warter, who comfortably won the first two stages, was one of the five riders either failed to finish and pull out of the race due to injuries. The other riders to pull out were Veje Soren Kristensen of Denmark, David Templeman of Great Britain, Anna Christie of the USA and the UAE-based Mikhailo Shelemba.
However, Jacob Lykke Grann and Christian Rosvig Hogh kept their cool to win the first and second places respectively. And so did Royal Army of Oman rider Hatim Al Booshri who finished in third place.
In the 60km stage both Grann clocked seven hours, five minutes and 29 seconds while his compatriot also timed 7:05:29. Hatim, meanwhile, finished the race in 7:55:10.
Another Omani rider Msharinajeeb Al Kalili finished the race in the fourth place in a time of 7:55:12.
Christian Rosvig Hogh described the stage as the most difficult.
“It was a strenuous race and one of the most difficult due to the steep hills and cliffs. But thanks to the right technique, I was able to stay ahead of my competitors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khalifa Al Saidi, a member of the organising committee, said that the race was ‘exciting’ and tested the skills of the competitors.
“This stage is one of the most difficult ones. It has resulted in five riders getting injured and drop out of the race,” he said.
Al Saidi said that the organising committee has provided the race with all safety facilities, including cars with emergency equipment and ambulances.
The 88.6km fourth and final stage of the 321.6km race concludes on Thursday.
