Royal Team excel in Normandy ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Posted on » Saturday, August 17, 2013

THE Royal Endurance Team's success in Europe continued yesterday with a fine showing in the international endurance ride held in the territory of Normandy in France.

Led by team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Al Khalidiyah Stables commander Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahrainis were among the race's elite.

Royal Team ace Raed Mahmood finished as the overall runner-up, being beaten only by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from the UAE, who registered an impressive victory.

Oman's Ahmad Hamdani finished in third, confirming the high class of Gulf-based riders on the international stage, especially in European races. Yesterday's event also featured many riders from across the continent and the rest of the world.

Delight

Shaikh Nasser expressed his extreme delight with the fine performance of Mahmood, and said that it was an important step in the Royal Team's preparations as they gear up to participate in next year's world championships, which are set to be held in the same French venue.

For his part, Shaikh Khalid praised the efforts of the Royal Team as well as that of Sheikh Hamdan, who had a wonderful ride en route to claiming the win.

He added that the Royal Team continues to succeed in their events thanks to the guidance of Shaikh Nasser, who gives the utmost care and support to the sport.

Sheikh Hamdan won the four-stage race in a total time of six hours 14 minutes 34 seconds. He led from the very start of the race and never trailed the field.

Mahmood followed in the runner-up spot with a time of 6:18:02, while Oman's Hamdani claimed third place after clocking a finishing time of 7:02:28.

The Royal Team had two other participants in the event, including Ghazi Al Dossary and Issa Al Hazza. Both of the Bahraini riders were forced to pull out during the opening stage due to injury to their respective horses.

Yesterday's ride was the latest event on the Royal Team's European campaign this summer season.

They had previously participated in another event also held in Normandy but at a different location. Al Dossary was then the winner of the 125-kilometre ride, while fellow-Bahraini Mohammed Khatri claimed first place in the 90km race.