Sharjah: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba, crowned Rein Taaram¤e of the Japanese Kinan team as the champion of the second stage of the 11th Sharjah Tour, held Saturday.
According to Emirates News Agency, Budzinski Marcin of the Hungarian MBH Bank team finished in second place, while van Engelen Adne of the Malaysian Terengganu team secured the third position. The second stage, named 'Al Jubail,' covered 129.56 kilometers, commencing at Souq Al Jubail in Sharjah and concluding at Souq Al Jubail in Kalba. This stage was marked by high competition, with new contenders emerging compared to the first stage.
The opening ceremony saw attendance from key officials, including Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of the Sharjah Digital Department; Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; Abdullah Sultan Al Dah, Chairman of the Organising Committee; Mohammed Obaid Al Hosan, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Sports Council; and Colonel Dr. Jassim Mohammed bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Operations and Security Support at Sharjah Police.
The closing ceremony and award presentation were attended by notable sports leaders, such as Dato' Amarjit Singh, President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC); Mansour Bu Osaiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation; Ali Hamid, President of the Iraqi Cycling Federation; Dr. Ashraf Mohammed, Secretary General of the Arab Cycling Federation; Dr. Obaid Saif Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Kalba Municipal Council; and other officials and sports leaders.
Rein Taaram¤e earned the yellow jersey for the fastest stage time, sponsored by Sharjah Police General Command, the green jersey for the best sprint points, sponsored by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and the red jersey for the best hill climb, sponsored by Sharjah Municipality.
Additionally, the white jersey for the best under-23 rider, sponsored by Sharjah Sports Channel, was awarded to Almer Boufqar of the Emirates Gen Z team and accepted by his teammate Abdullah Jassim. Rashid Al Baloushi of the UAE national team received the UAE flag jersey, sponsored by the Sharjah Sports Council, for the best Emirati rider based on stage time.
The tour is set to resume tomorrow morning with the third stage, 'Al Heera,' covering 9.81 kilometers, starting and finishing in Al Heera. Alongside this stage, a time trial for people of determination (wheelchair category H) and the special needs bicycle category C, as well as a youth race, will take place, with all races beginning at 9:00 am.