Muscat: Omani cyclist Shabib Al Balushi emerged as the champion in the first edition of the Salalah Mountain Bike Race held in Wadi Sahnoot, Salalah. The competition was organized by the Dhofar Municipality in collaboration with the Oman Cycling Federation as part of the ‘Dhofar Serbs’ season. Pham El Khiari finished second and David Haines from Britain third. 78 players from Oman, Bahrain, Philippines, Australia, Britain and Spain participated in the competition in general and under 23 categories. Competitions were also organized for women. The competition consisted of three routes of six kilometers each.
Muntar Al Hasani from Oman won first place in the under 23 youth category. Yahya Al Qasimi was second and Muhammad Al Wahaibi third. Filipino Gisele Cornejo won the women’s title. Elizar Al Baba from Australia took second place and Amira Al Obaidani from Oman third. Oman Cycling Federation President Saif Bin Seba Al Rashidi distributed prizes to the winners.
