Although some of the top riders were missing, this did not detract from another great race in the Riyadh Wheelers calendar, a 57.5km road race.

As predicted, the relatively flat course showed its teeth once the wind got up, creating havoc as riders quickly spread around the 11.5 km lap.

Wheelers Chairman Rob Patrick welcomed the professional looking Udhailiyah Fitness Group, who arrived at the start in a luxury coach, bringing with them their top riders who were quick to make their mark. The first attack was initiated by club champion Thierry Mathy and in the shakeout only 5 riders were able to stay in contact.

After a few kilometers this was down to two, Todd Green and Chad Albury from Udhailiyah the only ones able to stay with the flying Mathy. Behind several groups had formed, all containing a familiar mix of hard working riders and those looking for easy deliverance to the line, despite vocal encouragement to do more work. As the leaders entered the last kilometer, Albury took his chance and attacked early but was passed by Mathy and Green on the line. The sprint for 4th was taken by Alex Carinan in a final lunge from Steve Jenkins and Patrick; the sprint for 12th was taken by rapidly improving Stuart Gillespie from Brett Girven, Reiner Gocian and Andy MacLaughlan.

A below par Veronique Mathy still found enough to take the Cat B category ahead of Freda Gocian. Arnel Maniago rode a steady race, still feeling the effects of an accident a month ago. The next race is the Green Planet sponsored 69km RR on Jan. 29.

Results:

1 T.Mathy, 2 T.Green, 3 C.Albury, 4 A.Carinan, 5 S.Jenkins, 6 R.Patrick, 7 G.Guanlao, 8 K.Ahlin, 9 G.Morete, 10 J.Kuba, 11 J.Roetter, 12 S.Gillespie, 13 ?, 14 R.Gocian, 15 A.MacLaughlan, 16 E.Seneres, 17 J.Sunga, 18 C.Johnson, 19 P.Foster, 20 B.Remsburg, 21 G.Wilson, 22 M.Gauval, 23 P.McParland, 24 D.Wright, 25 F.Nevola, 26 T.Watts, 27 J.Cortez, 28 G.Swinburne, 29 D.Pottinger, 30 K.Pickles, 31 M.Hesketh, 32 D.Locke, 33 A.Maniago, 34 O.Tuazon, 35 K.Walsh, 36 J.Garbutt, 37 D.Oliver, 38 V.Mathy, 39 N.Ibarra, 40 M.Suckling, 41 R.Flores, 42 Y.Forero, 43 D.Del Rosario, 44 F.Gocian, 45 F.Requillo, 46 J.Cortez, 47 ?, 48 K.Moolman, 49 C.Morelos, 50 D.Dela, 51 M.Webb, 52 R.Bitong, 53 R.Catoneon, 54 J-M Saluta, 55 ?, 56 ? 57 D.Petkovski. DNF M.Flores, T.Mahfoaz, M.Lincoln, A.Bahaa, M.Bahaa, L.Duffy, D.Bennellick, M.Molina.

Categories:

Open Todd Green, Veteran Thierry Mathy, Master Steve Jenkins, Senior Jiri Kuba, Cat B Veronique Mathy