Manama: The Nasser bin Hamad Cycling Tour for Amateurs commenced with cyclists from the Kingdom of Bahrain, GCC countries, and expatriates living in the Kingdom participating. The event is organised by the Bahrain Cycling Association in cooperation with Faalyat Company and continues until November 8.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the first stage featured a 6-kilometre individual time trial with significant participation from local and regional cyclists. Ahmed Al Haj, Head of the Organising Committee, presented awards to the winners of this stage. In the Bahraini amateurs category, Abdulaziz Saleh Al Hammari secured first place, with Mohammed Hassan Jawad and Mohammed Isa Al Ghais finishing in second and third, respectively.
Al Hammari also received three jerseys: the yellow jersey for the overall leader in the Bahraini amateurs category, sponsored by Bapco Energies; the red jersey for the points leader, sponsored by Beyon; and the blue jersey for the under-23 category, sponsored by Marassi Galleria. The green jersey for the over-40 category went to Aqeel Thamer, sponsored by Al Salam Bank.
In the category for GCC riders, the Bahrain national team, and residents, Hilal Jaber emerged victorious in the first stage, followed by David Bessey and Saeed Salem in second and third places, respectively. Jaber claimed the orange jersey as the overall leader, sponsored by Bapco Energies, and the grey jersey for the points classification, sponsored by Beyon. The pink jersey for the over-40 category was awarded to David Bessey, sponsored by Al Salam Bank, while the purple jersey for the under-23 category went to Mahdi Hassan Jawad, sponsored by Marassi Galleria.
The second stage of the tour is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Sakhir, covering a distance of 65 kilometres, and will start at 2:30 pm.