The UAE's Salim Abdullah Salim reserved the best for the last as he was crowned individual champion in the second Arab Championships, which concluded in Ras Al Khaimah yesterday.

Salim, who was engaged in a tactical race, stayed in the leading pack of five cyclists.

The competition for the top spot became fierce as the race progressed through the 98.4km of the route with none of the top five willing to give up.

Salim struck to his position along with a couple of Egyptians, a Bahraini and a Syrian.

During the race the front- runners managed to establish a comfortable lead of almost two kilometres from the rest.

As the five riders approached the final stretch, there was a wild and exciting scramble for the top spot.

But after putting in so much hard work, Salim was not willing to give in easily as the Ras Al Khaimah lad pushed in his best effort to edge past the rest for the top spot.

During the race, Salim stuck an average speed of 40kph to take the top position with a time of 2 hours, 22.39 minutes.

Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim of Bahrain gave the winner a torrid time, but had to settle for second place with an identical time.

Amru Mohammed Ahmed of Egypt came in third.

Sheikh Faisal bin Humaid Al Qasimi, President, UAE Cycling Federation, gave away the medals to the winners.

As many as 48 cyclists took part in this final race of the championships.

Sheikh Faisal was so thrilled by the performance of the UAE cyclist that he even went to the extent of coming to the finish line to cheer Salim.

"I even forgot all the pain I had due to the accident on account of such a glorious moment in the history of UAE cycling," Sheikh Faisal was quoted as saying.

"It was a tremendous effort from Salim and, for him to win before his home crowd is even more pleasing," Sheikh Faisal added.

Sheikh Faisal had met with a minor accident a couple of days ago during the course of the competition.

The championships were to conclude later in the evening yesterday with the individual race for the girls.

Results
1. Salim Abdullah Salim/UAE (2 hrs, 22.39 mins; 2. Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim/Bahrain (2:22.39); 3. Amru Mohamed Ahmed/Egypt (2:22.39).