UAE cyclists set modest targets at the Games

Doha: As they weave in and out of coaches and trucks on Doha's roads, three members of the UAE cycling team fervently hope that their bright red-and-white uniforms will keep them visible and safe.

Negotiating the chaotic roundabouts is the trickiest part of a morning's ride, but quick reactions and snappy acceleration have kept them out of trouble so far.

Obligingly, they pull over on the road outside Athletes Village for a quick chat.

Hamad Bin Took and Ahmad Ali Jamar are part of the time-trial team, while Bader Ali will compete in the individual events inside the velodrome.

Speaking while their colleagues, Mohammad Bader Banihammad and Khalid Ali Shambih competed in the men's 156km road race, the three men described their experiences as they entered the packed Khalifa Stadium during the opening ceremony.

"It was a very big moment for us," said Bin Took, who along with his team-mate Ali Jamar is from Umm Al Quwain. "It is a very big honour to represent the UAE and we are very happy to be here."

Bader Ali from Dubai added: "It was very exciting, but the serious business here is the competition. I am entered in the 1km, 2km and point race at the track on December 9. I hope to do well and it would be good to beat Qatar and Korea."

The men's road race which was held yesterday was shortened from 199km to 156km due to the high winds around Doha.

It was felt that strong headwinds would have lengthened the duration of the race past nightfall.

Graham Sycamore, cycling competition manager, said: "The high winds would have seen the cyclists finishing in the dark, so we have reduced the race for the safety of the riders."