Team Velostar’s Tom Whateley (centre) celebrates on the podium after emerging victorious in Category A event. Qatari cyclist Mohamed Al Farizi (second left) won the silver medal while Whateley’s Velostar team-mate Fred Watson (second right) won the bronze
Team Velostar’s Tom Whateley overcame a tough battle against Qatari cyclist Mohamed Al Farizi in the final stretch to emerge winner at Dukhan in Category A event of the second leg of Air Maroc League on Friday.
Whateley clocked 2:12.02 in the 86-kilometre distance at an average speed of 39km/h as he finished just two seconds ahead of the Qatari rider to win the gold medal. Whateley’s Velostar team-mate Fred Watson bagged the bronze medal.
The road race, organised by the Qatar Cycling & Triathlon Federation (QCTF), was held under three categories for men (A, B and C) and two for women (A and B).
Riders covered a distance of 86km in category A, in which each rider was supposed to finish three laps in road race competition. The distance in category B was 66km (2 laps) and category C was 46km.
Women riders had to peddled over a distance of 66km in category A and 46km in category B.
Riders began their quest for medals at 7am and 107 cyclists took part in the competition.
The Category B event saw a huge number of riders taking part.
Team Velostar secured their second gold medal of the day through John Hancock who finished the event in 1:47:50 at a rate of 36km/h.
Andrew Tangonan from Pinoy Roadies Qatar won the silver medal while Walberto Dela Cruz finished third to grab clinch the bronze medal in Category B.
Qatari junior rider Zaid Hamza emerged champion in Category C after covering the allotted distance in 1:23:52. The young star was followed by Saeed Al Kuwari who secured the silver medal ahead of Ronald Balorio from Team PCCQ who was third.
Team #AndyBrownProRacing booked the top two positions on the podium in the women’s Category A. Julie Melville emerged victorious after clocking a time of 1:47:50 in the 66-kilometre long race. Jennifer Gibbons was second behind her.
Team #AndyBrownProRacing continued to enjoy the sensational run in the women’s races as Carmel Lord secured their second gold medal of the day. Lord took 1:26:34 to finish the category B event. Kathrine Gomez from TriClub Doha finished second whereas, Dorothy Weymouth was third in the event.
The Royal Air Maroc League is supported by Qatar Cyclists (QC) and Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR).
