UAE cyclists set sights on Asian championship medals

Dubai : The UAE cycling squad is hoping their participation in the Tour of Cuba will fetch them returns at the Asian Cycling Championship to be held here in April.

Led by their coach Rene Schmidt, the UAE squad of six cyclists and three officials left for Cuba last Friday to participate in the gruelling 1,250-kilometre Tour of Cuba that got under way on Sunday from Guantanamo.

"This tour will be a true test for the cyclists as the field consists of more than 140 riders from 16 countries, including four national teams. Our focus will be on stamina and skill for the cyclists and at the same time it will give them the experience of competing in a field of more than 100 riders," Schmidt said.

The 13-day event kicked off from the north of Guantanamo and will conclude in the capital Havana.

The UAE's participation in the tour, according to the national coach, is part of the team's preparations for the Asian Cycling Championship to be hosted by UAE in Sharjah from April 8 to 17.

"This is the best preparation for the team and we will concentrate on track training on our return," the German coach stated.

The UAE squad in Cuba consists of Khalid Al Beloushi, Ahmad Al Mansouri, Bader Mirza, Yousuf Mirza, Mohammad Hassan Al Murwwi and Majid Al Beloushi. They are accompanied by assistant national coach Nasradeen Hasbawali and Jamal Zerawati.