The second part of the week saw the start of the road racing with medals being awarded in both mens and womens, junior U23 and Elite categories.
The architecture of the Qatar Foundation provided a stunning backdrop for the sign on and start of the Elite Womens race, before the competitors tackled the 134km route before ultimately ending with seven laps of the Pearl.
As for the men, their race began at the Lusail Sports complex, home to one of the (currently under construction) stadia for the 2022 Qatar World Cup bid. From there it was straight into the desert. UCI route planners had hatched a cunning plan to take advantage of the notorious cross winds which sweep this featureless landscape, with the potential of decimating a field of even the strongest bike riders. Miss the break and your race is over.
With the scene set and the script written, all we needed was a peloton. Like an anxious groom waiting for his bride the media gathered at the sign in, with drips and drabs of riders scrawling their signature on the giant start sheet, while Bangladeshi workers were desperately trying to stop the whole thing from blowing over in the gusty wind.
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Much to the relief of the UCI officials, ten minutes before the start riders began to descend on the make shift podium, trying to limit exposure to the blistering midday sun. With five minutes to go, riders were ushered through sign on and dispatched to the start line as quickly as possible with the formalities taking a back seat. The race was on.
The Arabian Sun sets for one last time as this years World Cycling Championships draw to a close, with medals awarded and Champions crowned, has the UCI’s decision to chase the pot of gold tarnished the reputation of the organisation? Time will tell.
© 2026 Soigneur
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