With club champion Thierry Mathy not racing due to illness, the Riyadh Wheelers 80km road race became wide open for those who did sign-on for this tough event.

A strong, cold north wind also added to the difficulties faced by the riders, which resulted in an unprecedented 14 non-finishers. The favorite on paper was in-form Kris Ahlin and soon after the start he was put under pressure as the breakaway pack made life as difficult as possible for him by their continuous attacking.

Among those applying the pain were strongmen Brett Girven, Dan Bennellick, Martin Ball and Steve Jenkins who were so busy keeping an eye on Ahlin, that during a lull in the action at the 60km mark Rob Patrick slipped off the front, it didn’t provoke an immediate reaction.

Ahlin and Arnel Maniago seized their chance and quickly joined Patrick who worked well together as they turned into the fierce wind. Behind the chasers were desperately trying to organize a chase and with 8km to go the two groups almost joined up, but only Mikael Jersby and Geron Guanlao were able to bridge the gap, which added much needed momentum to the leaders.

This was just enough to allow the 5 to stay away and contest the final sprint, with Ahlin as expected easily dispatching his compatriot Jersby, Guanlao, Patrick and Maniago who finished in that order just ahead of the remnants of the shattered chasers, led in by Ben Psaila.

An exciting sprint finish decided the Cat B race, with leader Maria Araujo just holding off Vero Mathy by a length.

Carrefour Tala Mall sponsored the excellent refreshments once again.

Results:

1 K. Ahlin, 2 M. Jersby,3 G. Guanlao, 4 R. Patrick, 5 A. Maniago, 6 B. Psaila, 7 M. Ball, 8 J. Sunga, 9 B. Girven, 10 J. Adams, 11 G. Lawrie, 12 D. Wright, 13 S. Jenkins, 14 B. Syfrig, 15 J. Block, 16 S. Waight, 17 P. McParland, 18 K. Walsh, 19 J. Kuba, 20 D. Donohue, 21 D. Pottinger, 22 J. Altavas, 23 E. Lando, 24 H. Simeone, 25 R. Delos Santos, 26 M. Webb, 27 M. Turco, W-1 M. Araujo, W-2 V. Mathy, 28 T. Mathy, 29 L. Duffy, 30 B. Detomal, 31 R. Silvan, 32 D. Petkovski. DNF F. Claus, A. Garcia, R. Pedrosa, H. Marinas, J. Espergoza, N. Bain, D. Bennellick, R. Flores, G. Morete, R. Bitong, R. Paluf, F. Gregorio, S. Yurchenko, T. Eleosida, J. Reyes

Categories Open Arnel Maniago, Veteran Kris Ahlin, Master Gordon Lawrie, Senior Rob Patrick, Cat B Maria Araujo