MUSCAT, FEB 25
OMAN Royal Army’s Said al Rahbi edged Cycle KOM’s Paul Willcox by 20 points to emerge overall champion of Oman Cycling Association (OCA) League Championship 2022-23 in Sur on Saturday.
After the six-race League, Al Rahbi earned 480 points to top the podium, while Willcox claimed runner-up spot with 460 points. Former winner Mundher al Hasani finished third with 440 points.
In the sixth and final stage of the OCA League for Sur Championship, Oman Club’s Faisal al Mammari came home first with a timing of two hours six minutes and 50 seconds. Teammate Islam Ayad (02:06:50) took the second spot while Mundher al Hasani finished third (02:06:56).
Cycle KOM – NRO’s Bradley Perkins came fourth (02:06:56).
Al Rahbi, who had a 15-point difference with second-placed Willcox before the sixth race, just made enough to keep his overall lead by taking the fifth spot ahead of the British cyclist.
“It was a good season and it came down to the last five metres for a sprint finish to decide the red jersey in Sur,” Willcox told Oman Observer. “Our team riders gave our best shot in an effort to take the red jersey for me. I had to beat Said with a rider in between and it was a tall order to be honest.”
“Nonetheless, it was a great season for us with me winning the Masters title and Cycle KOM taking the team crown,” the veteran cyclist added.
The Cycle KOM captain however had two overall titles to his credit after emerging the Masters (40+) champion and team winners.
Willcox was a runaway winner in the section with teammates Daniel Baldwin a distant second at 180 points and Gregory Pollard taking third with 163 points. Capital Team’s Simeon Gelacio (94) was fourth while Bahla Club’s Mohammed al Kindi finished fifth (66).
In the team category, Cycle KOM – NRO dominated the League with 1230 points followed by Oman Royal Army (1080) and Salalah Club (1045). Oman Club (879) and Capital Team (447) took the fourth and fifth spots respectively in the 18-team competition.
DOUBLE FOR SAID
Said al Rahbi topped the under-23 category for a double title, followed by Mundher and Faisal al Mammari (398 points). Islam Ayad (324) took the fourth spot while Bradley Perkins (302) finished fifth. In the Amateur race held alongside the sixth stage, Majed al Habsi came first with a timing of 28 minutes and 28 seconds followed by Said al Maamari and Asad al Habsi. Thirty-four local riders took part in the 15 km race.
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