The UAE’s Saif Al Kaabi bagged top honours in the men’s open category as the NAS Cycling Challenge kicked-off on Friday night with 650 participants taking part in seven different categories on the opening night of the two-day event.

Al Kabi completed the 77km race in a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 57 seconds to finish ahead of Emirati compatriots Jaber Al Mansoori (01:39:58), Mohammed Al Mansoori (01:40:02) and Omar Al Jasmi (01:40:03), and Yahiaa Khalifa (01:40:45) of Bahrain.

Twelve-year-old Omar Issa finished first in the 10km Boys’ Open Category in 19:10, ahead of Ali Nasiraei (19:10) and Sultan Al Shamsi (19:11).

“This win validates my decision to pick cycling over football,” said Issa.

“I love football and I believe I have really good skills, and I play a lot of football with my friend. But I have chosen cycling because I love this sport more and the challenges and thrills that come with it, and I am really happy with my decision.”

Issa, who trains four days a week, cycling for 35km-40km, added: “I started cycling two years ago and I hope to be the champion of the UAE someday, like Yusuf Mirza, and become the best in speed racing.

“The support and encouragement of my family gives me the confidence to keep pursuing my cycling dreams. I did not expect to win tonight in the NAS Cycling Challenge, so I am thrilled and I hope this is the first of many titles to come.”

Rashed Al Daheri won the Hand Bike category of the 10km race for People of Determination for the fourth year, crossing the finish line in 17 minutes and 56 seconds, ahead of Hussain Al Mazam (17:57) and Ayed Ali Alahbabi (17:59).

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RESULTS: NAS Cycling Challenge: Open Category Men (77km): 1-Saif Al Kaabi 01:39:57; 2-Jaber Al Mansoori 01:39:58; 3-Mohammed Al Mansoori 01:40:02; 4-Omar Al Jasmi 01:40:03; 5-Yahiaa Khalifa 01:40:45.

Open Category Boys (10km): 1-Omar Issa 00:19:10; 2-Ali Nasiraei 00:19:10; 3-Sultan Al Shamsi 00:19:11; 4-Hamdan Al Ketbi 00:19:12; 5-Saeed Al Mansoori 00:19:12.

Open Category Girls (10km): 1-Avery Bullard 00:22:52; 2-Afnane Benaouda 00:22:58; 3-Hind Al Marzouqi 00:24:25; 4-Rawan Benaouda 00:28:51; 5-Ghadeer Ali Tahri 00:30:21.

People of Determination (10km) - Hand Bike: 1-Rashed Al Daheri 00:17:56; 2-Hussain Al Mazam 00:17:57; 3-Ayed Ali Alahbabi 00:17:59; 4-Badir Al Hosani 00:18:00; 5-Ali Al Saadi 00:20:00.

People of Determination (10km) - Road Bike: 1-Abdulla Al Blooshi 00:16:54; 2-Hamdan Ali Thani 00:17:59; 3-Abdulla Al Hammadi 00:22:38

UAE National Boys (10km): 1-Hamdan Al Seiari 00:20:43; 2-Gharib Al Balushi 00:20:52; 3-Khalifa Al Balusi 00:21:11; 4-Mohammad Almas 00:22:45. UAE National Girls: 1-Ranad Ahmed Alyfei 00:23:07; 2-Mahra Al Marzouqi 00:23:35; 3-Rim Al Hosani 00:23:36; 4-Meera Al Hosani 00:26:20; 5-Mazna Al Marzouqi 00:26:21.