Al Marri wins Hamdan Challenge

Abu Dhabi : Ali Ganem Al Merri rode Diesel to victory in the 100-kilometre Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge 1 endurance ride at the Dubai International Endurance City here yesterday.

Al Merri came up with a fine effort on the 10-year-old grey gelding to finish the event with a timing of four hours three minutes and 36 seconds.

Yesterday's race, held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, was well-contested with Al Merri and Diesel stepping up the pace in the final two stages.

Mohammad Obaid Al Ka'adi on Rowallan Shanty set the early pace recording a speed of 28.31km/h in the first of the four loops of 32km, 29km, 27km and 12km.

Al Ka'adi was involved in a close contest for the lead with Mansour Ebrahim Ahmad on Paco Raban MA while Al Merri was 17th at the end of the first stage.

Al Ka'adi and Ahmad stayed in the first and second spots after the second stage of 29km as Al Merri moved up to 7th place in the overall standings.

In was in the third stage of the competition that Al Merri made his move and moved into first place while Al Ka'adi slipped to third place.

Going out into the final loop, Al Merri had no problems and maintained his lead to win with an average speed of 24.63km/h.

Ahmad and Al Kaadi took the second and third places respectively.

Paco Raban MA's average speed was 24.55km/h while Rowallan Shanty's was 24.43km/h.

RESULTS

Results of 100-km Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge 1 national ride:

Ali Ganem Al Merri (Diesel) 4:03.36

Mansour Ebrahim Ahmad (Paco Raban MA) 4:04.27

Mohammad Obaid Al Ka'adi (Rowallan Shanty) 4:05.35.