The first race of the new Riyadh Wheelers season was held at the weekend and attracted a record turnout which bodes well for the future of cycling in the capital.
The pleasant rural setting near Dirab disguised the fact that it contained within its boundaries a tough 7km hilly circuit which had to be covered twice. The race also hosted the new season’s registration formalities, and once these were over, the riders turned their attention to the race ahead.
Judging by the impressive hardware on show, some were taking it more seriously than others as they proudly unveiled their summer acquisitions in front of an appreciative and envious crowd.
Last year’s champions, Team Mathy, admitted to spending their summer holiday on their bikes and this translated into a dominating display and new course record to take the overall and Cat B titles.
The podium could have been the same as last year, had top triathlete Martin Ball not ridden, but as it was, Pinoy superstar Norberto Daa was relegated to 4th behind Ball and the irrepressible Bruno Syfrig, who admitted joining the Mathys in Europe and recording 27,000 meters of mountain climbing in 8 days, an incredible achievement.
The next 4 places were taken by familiar names from last season, 2-day champion Vincent Engel, Pascal Cudey (who also crashed) and Masters champion Jiri Kuba. The exception was Kris Ahlin, who is showing incredible form already and will be the one to watch in the coming months.
Likewise, Jun Flores and Clemens von Skwarczinsky recorded their best ever result, which could explain why the time keepers announced the results should be considered ‘provisional’ until more checking could be carried out due to the considerable amount of data generated by such a large field.
Club Chairman Rob Patrick announced that negotiations are continuing with some big name sponsors, and hopes to finalize the details soon. Carrefour Le Mall kindly provided the refreshments which were enjoyed by all. The next race will be on a new circuit, starting at 7am.
Results:
1 T.Mathy 19:19, 2 B.Syfrig 20:56, 3 M.Ball 21:06, 4 N.Daa 21:22, 5 V.Engel 21:28, 6 P.Cudey 21:37, 7 K.Ahlin 21:53, 8 J.Kuba 22:05, 9 J.Flores 22:12, 10 G.Morete 22:37, 11 C.von Skwarczinsky 22:40, 12 G.Muetze 22:58, 13 S.Jenkins 23:04, 14 J.Villalobos Moreno 23:08, 15 A.Carinan 23:13, 16 R.Patrick 23:14, 17 N.Al Mutrad 23:14, 19 P.McParland 23:23, 20 S.Waight 23:23, 21 J.Hymns 23:33, 22 A.Maniago 23:42, 23 D.Wright 23:52, 24 A.Williams 23:53, 25 C.Randall 23:57, 26 A.Rodriguez Castellanos 24:06, 27 C.Johnson 24:13, 28 R.Gocian 24:21, 29 A.Geara 24:26, 30 K.van Haasteren 24:35, 31 C.Brown 24:42, 32 R.Delos Santos 24:45, 33 A.Maclachan 24:52, 34 J.Cordial 24:55, 35 A.Cuesta 25:14, 36 S.Gillespie 25:19, 37 D.Locke 25:29, 38 J.Torrontegui 25:35, 39 H.Almoran 25:40, 40 V.Mathy 25:45, 41 Y.Forero 25:45, 42 M.Lincoln 25:56, 43 J.Sunga 26:04, 44 F.Requillo 26:15, 45 T.Morton 26:15, 46 D.Del Rosario 26:20, 47 K.Bowers 26:27, 48 K.Moolman 26:27, 49 E.Lando 26:35, 50 M.Hesketh 26:43, 51 K.Hills 26:44, 52 K.Pickles 26:51, 53 D.Smith 26:57, 54 M.Webb 27:04, 55 J.Garbutt 27:10, 56 R.Bitong 27:10, 57 M.Suckling 27:13, 58 F.Gocian 27:26, 59 Z.Hymns 27:30, 60 C.Morelos 27:38, 61 O.Yuazon 27:39, 62 E.Gabuco 27:52, 63 L.Duffy 27:57, 64 J.Jaruskova 28:19, 65 G.Zondach 28:27, 66 S.Whitfield 28:28, 67 A.Garcia 28:32, 68 R.Mayor 28:39, 69 G.McGregor 29:12, 70 R.Catcreon 29:42, 71 Q.Rowland 29:59,72 M.Molina 29:59, 73 E.Donnellan 30:13, 74 A.Piirimagi 30:39, 75 J.Saluta 30:43, 76 R.Pedrosa 31:04, 77 M.van Maastreiicht 31:27, 78 A.Al Bahaa 34:32, 79 M.Al Sweliem 36:50, 80 T.Cudey 40:10, 81 M.Al Bahaa 45:11, DNF G.Guanlao, D.Bennellick, C.Ismael, D.Oliver, M.Araujo.
Categories: Open M.Ball, Veteran T.Mathy, Master J.Kuba, Senior B.Syfrig, Cat B V. Mathy, Junior T.Cudey
Course record smashed as Mathy starts new RW season in style
Course record smashed as Mathy starts new RW season in style
Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2027 dates confirmed
- After a record-breaking tournament in January, the competition returns next year from Jan. 8-10
ABU DHABI: The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup will return in 2027 following another record-breaking edition last month, and the registration window is now open.
From Jan. 8 to 10, 2027, teams from across the world will be able to compete in the eighth edition of the region’s Tournament of Choice.
The competition’s three-day format returns after a successful expansion this year that had more than 8,000 people attend Zayed Sports City across a weekend that featured 3,500 local, regional and international players.
In total, 244 teams from the under-8 to under-16 categories competed in the 2026 edition, with 86 international sides, spanning 18 countries, four continents, and a record-breaking 44 girl teams.
Off the pitch, players and spectators were able to enjoy the City Village that played host to entertainment and activations supported by the club’s partners.
This included the e& Gaming Zone, Puma pop-up and Aldar’s showcase of Fahid Island, as well as performances from a DJ and visits from special guests, including tournament ambassador and Manchester City legend Nedum Onuoha, and event host FG.
Teams will compete for the Abu Dhabi Cup, and individual age-group winners will go into a prize draw for their team to win a trip to a City Football Group club, where they will train and watch the first team in action.
Simon Hewitt, tournament director, and director of Football Operations MENA, said the 2026 edition was a “landmark event.”
“It was the first time we had expanded the tournament to three days, and the reaction to that decision was incredible. Players were able to spend more time on the pitch, take in the incredible atmosphere of the City Village, and enjoy the sights and attractions of Abu Dhabi.
“We might only be a month removed from that tournament, but the hard work in preparing for 2027 starts now. Already, teams are asking when they can register, and we expect huge competition for places from all over the world.”
