SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020 SPORTSPORT 21 CRICKET CRICKET We will need our fans on our side from the first to Second Test, Day Pakistan Super last minute: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane 2: New Zealand League: Islamabad says ahead of today's La Liga title showdown vs India in United vs Karachi ACTION against Barcelona. TODAY’S Christchurch Kings Al Adaid Desert Challenge a huge success THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mouchcine Rhaili (Morocco), Riders including Pia Sundtedt who has dominated much of the Qatar’s premier off-road (front, centre) in action during road racing this year, settled for endurance event, the Al Adaid the Elite UCI race. third place on this occasion, 90 Desert Challenge topped last seconds further back. Spaniard, year’s record participation with Carla Pregigueiro was ladies 615 athletes from 51 different winner in 2:53:20, beating nationalities taking part in Sondra Hope and Charlotte mountain bike and desert Wohlwend (Switzerland). running races across Khor Al The North Africans again Adaid, one of Qatar’s most dominated the desert run, with beautiful natural areas. Abderrahim Ghayour taking the The turnout this year has win for the second year in a exceeded all expectations, a row, impressively adding only sell-out race despite creating a minute to his time over the additional capacity, most longer course. notably in extra logistics Countryman Houssine support from Doha Bus and Lahdou was third but the expanded facilities at the Al Moroccans didn’t have the Majles desert resort which was entire podium to themselves – used for the finish zone for the Mohcine Zaytouni, representing first time. Qatar, occupied the silver spot. The growth came despite a Back to Morocco for the number of overseas competitors Women’s champion though falling foul of travel restrictions with Zineb Karam beating two imposed as a result of the brits; Daisy Baker and Sophie Corona Virus epidemic. The event is organised by recognised by the International Al Adaid Desert Challenge her fifth completion and fifth Clarke. Regardless, the rapid Qatar Cyclists in cooperation Cycling Union (UCI) as a cat- 2020 topped last year’s win, it is surely ranked among New for 2020’s Al Adaid increase in mountain cycling with the Qatar National Tourism egory 3 XCP race and it offers record participation the best with a result which was the additional challenge of popularity in Qatar and, most Council (QNTC) and the support the highest prize money in the with 615 athletes from placed her fourth overall – just an 8km run immediately fol- notably, the strong local interest of the ministry of Culture and world in its class. The total 51 different nationalities 30 seconds off stealing a lowing the bike in the duathlon in endurance sports in general, Sports and Qatar Cycling purse across all disciplines – taking part in mountain podium position from the men. category. more than compensated for the Federation. cycling, running and duathlon Al Adaid incorporates the Elite off-road triathlon spe- loss although the UCI Elite com- In addition to a list of – totalled QR216,000. bike and desert running Qatar National Mountain Bike cialist Mehdi Mersni put in a petition was poorer without the sponsors that include gold Frederic Gombert of France races across Khor Al Championship. This year the bike performance which would regular international names sponsors Doha Insurance made his hat-trick of wins this Adaid. riders occupying all three have placed him highly in the such as Iranian, Faraz Shokri Group, Doha Takaful and year. His light build proving a podium spots had stepped up MTB competition and continued Al Adaid Desert Challenge who took second place last year. Ooredoo, and official supporters definite advantage over that of to the UCI Elite category. with a blistering run, only to More than 300 participants Chevrolet Qatar, Rasen Sports, larger, stronger riders on the 2020 is the longest, A new generation of riders find he had been misdirected. took part in the cycling race, Al Rayyan Water, Doha Bus, soft sand. toughest and largest to racing at this level being a pos- In two of the most among them, tourists who trav- Garmin Lingawi, Mawater This year’s extended course date. itive indication of the devel- impressive displays of sports- elled from countries like Great Qatar, Royal Riviera Hotel included more of that than ever opment of elite cycling in Qatar. manship of the event, Mersni Britain, France, Australia, Doha, Qatar Red Crescent, as it followed the 40.5 km route Frederic Gombert, Pia Abdulla Al Khater pulled on proceeded to chase back to Ireland, Croatia and the USA Dama Sports Wear. – which included the tough task Sundstedt and Axel Dopfer the National Champion Jersey within 90 seconds of Jan especially to take part in the The Elite category of the of crossing ten sand dunes on displayed exceptional after two hours and 9 minutes Woutters (Netherlands) who event. cycling race in Al Adaid is the way to the finish line. performances. of riding. conceded the win in recognition He beat the title holder, of a performance which he felt Abdulla Al Khater Marwan Al Jalham, who had deserved first place. emerged as Qatar's found himself losing the lead The three leaders of the national champion. group after some problems at Women’s duathlon were all in the start. Fadhel Al Khater took the veteran class: Andrea bronze. Stadler (Ecuador), Daniela Sposi Gombert’s time of 1:42:17, was In all, 168 Qatari nationals (GBR) and Govida Dellomas eight minutes slower than last completed the challenge this (Philippines) all beating their year despite more favourable year. An increase on last year younger rivals. weather conditions. With Shokri and a reflection of the strong Dr. Jamal Rashed Al Khanji, already out of contention, it was and developing interest in Managing Director of Al Adaid Gregor Sikosek (Slovenia) who cycling and endurance sport. Desert Challenge commented: came closest to challenging the Endurance didn’t come much “The success achieved by Al Frenchman, some four and a greater than the effort of Ahmed Adaid Desert Challenge today half minutes adrift. Shahrani, last placed in 7:05:22. exceeded all expectations. We Eight minutes later, Szymon Ahmed becomes the first wheel- thank all the sponsors and sup- Wasiak (Poland) crossed the chair athlete to complete the porters of this event, without line for third place, exhausted challenge. them it would have not been by his effort. Gombert observed: In his first year of bike possible to achieve all this.” “The race was harder this year, racing, 18 year old Axel Dopfer Andre Filip, Event Manager but I have adapted well and the (Germany) decisively led the commented: “Everyone enjoyed experience I have gained over Open classification with a per- the different races offered by Abderrahim Ghayour on his way to victory in the the past years made the dif- formance which would have the event and we received a desert run. INSET: Frederic Gombert in action during ference today.” placed him 5th UCI Elite. By his positive feedback from UCI the Al Adaid Desert Challenge 2020. One of the most notable own admission, Dopfer went official who was here to monitor performances of the day was into the race with some trepi- the event. It is a great step from two-time Olympian, Pia dation as the sand is not his forward for the future of this Sundstedt. Although this was natural territory. event on international level.” Premier League: Alonso double gives QSL: Al Khor beat Qatar SC Chelsea 2-2 draw with Bournemouth REUTERS — LONDON Chelsea’s Spanish defender more than 18th-placed Aston Marcos Alonso in action Villa who have a game in hand Midfielder Marcos Alonso during the English Premier as they meet Manchester City struck twice for Chelsea as they League match against in the League Cup final on stormed back from a goal down Bournemouth, yesterday. Sunday. to snatch a 2-2 draw away to Jarrod Bowen fired West AFC Bournemouth in their ham ahead with his first goal Premier League clash at the for the club since his January Vitality Stadium yesterday. move from Championship side With both sides playing Hull City, with Sebastian Haller open, attacking football, and Michail Antonio sealing the Chelsea took the lead in the win after Michael Obafemi had 33rd minute when Reece James equalised for Southampton. crossed for Olivier Giroud to Bowen struck in the 15th send his effort onto the minute with a clinical finish crossbar, with Alonso on hand before Obafemi levelled in the to smash home the rebound. 31st, sweeping the ball in with Bournemouth bounced a first-time shot after James back with a headed goal from Ward-Prowse delivered a low Jefferson Lerma nine minutes cross from the right. after the break and three Haller restored the home minutes later they were ahead, Jolted into all-out attack, position on 45 points, while team’s advantage shortly before Joshua King tapping the ball Chelsea substitute Michy Bournemouth are still hovering halftime as he beat Saints goal- home from close range after a Batshuayi had a goal ruled out above the drop zone on 27 keeper Alex McCarthy to a superb ball in from the right by for offside moments after points, two ahead of 17th- looping cross from the left and Jack Stacey. coming on, but they continued placed Aston Villa. slid in to prod the ball home to bombard the Bournemouth Meanwhile, West Ham from a tight angle. Action during the Round 16 match of QNB Stars League (QSL) RESULTS box with set-pieces and crosses. United produced an excellent Antonio put the game between Al Khor and Qatar SC at Al Khor Stadium yesterday.