The generously sponsored ITEA International Ltd./Carrefour Tala Mall 100km road race was held at the weekend and luckily avoided the torrential rain which was in the area, although the roads were awash with water.

The race followed a similar pattern to the 90km road race, except this time Bruno Syfrig had Mikael Jersby to help with the initial explosive pace setting, which had the 42 strong bunch in tatters after the first few 50kph+ kilometers.

When the dust settled, a group of 5 emerged, after losing a couple of strong riders to punctures. The group, Jersby, Syfrig, Greg Donaghey, Geron Guanlao and Rob Patrick, all got down to business and shared the work in order to keep the several strong chase groups at bay. Chasing alone after a wheel change was Martin Ball, who put up a strong performance and rode almost the entire distance alone, coming home in an impressive 6th place.

Although a good sprinter, Jersby decided to increase his chances by attacking with 4km to go, using the strong cross wind to his advantage.

Only Guanlao was able to go with him, leaving Patrick and Donaghey chasing, just ahead of Syfrig. This was how they finished, with just a few seconds separating the top 5. Some minutes later, Ball came in alone ahead of a furious sprint which was just taken by Steve Jenkins from Ben Psaila for 7th place. After many DNFís, the remaining riders completing the distance came home in ones and twos, some over an hour behind the winner.

The battle for CAT B honors was settled by Maria Araujo just ahead of Katerina Holeckova in an exciting and close sprint finish. The podium and award winners were presented their prizes by ITEA International Ltd. and Carrefour Tala Mall executives, who used the occasion to announce their continued support for the Riyadh Wheelers.

Results:

1 M.Jersby, 2 G.Guanlao, 3 R.Patrick, 4 G.Donaghey, 5 B.Syfrig, 6 M.Ball, 7 S.Jenkins, 8 B.Psaila, 9 J.Sunga, 10 C.Von Skwarczinsky, 11 D.Pottinger, 12 K.Walsh, 13 P.McParland, 14 D.Donohue, 15 G.Morete, 16 A.Maniago, 17 R.Chan, 18 T.Warburton, 19 H.Simeone, 20 J.Adams, 21 R.Ahmed, 22 M.Webb, 23 M.Alturaif, 24 M.Araujo, 25 E.Lando, 26 K.Holeckova, 27 M.Turco, 28 J.Cordial, 29 T.Eleosida, 30 D.Petkovsk. DNF A.Ibrahim, D.Dela, D.Wright, R.Flores, R.Silvan, J.Kuba, B.Dimacxli, M.Dela Rosa, F.Hizam, F.Gregorio, F.Requillo, L.Lando. CATEGORIES (not in top 3) OPEN Ben Psaila, VETERAN Greg Donaghey, MASTER Steve Jenkins, SENIOR Bruno Syfrig, CAT B Maria Araujo.