UCI president Brian Cookson praised the Tour of Qatar organisers yesterday, saying the race has "developed well" in the last 15 years.
The Tour of Qatar cycling race for men was first held in 2001 by the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) which is headed by Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani.
“The Tour of Qatar is a very well organised race. They have been developing it for 15 years,” Cookson said after the finish of the second stage of the tour yesterday.
“It is getting better every year and I congratulate the organisers, sponsors and the people of Qatar for this great race,” Cookson, who is in Doha to assess the preparations for the UCI World Road Championships in October, added.
“This is my first visit here and I am enjoying myself. This is a nice place, very nice environment and friendly people. I am sure, anyone who comes here in October for the World Championships will have a good time.
“I think it is going to be a great World Championships. I am sure the riders will enjoy the event,” the Briton added.
When asked about the QCF’s attempt to get the race upgraded to World Tour status next year, Cookson said: “Let’s wait and see. It is interesting to know they have applied for an upgrade (in status). We have to go through a process of appraisal and assessment.”
“I would congratulate the organisers for what they have done so far. You have to ask the riders about how they feel about the World Championships. It’s not a hilly course, it’s not a mountainous course, but it is a challenging course. The wind is going to be difficult but the stage is really good. I am sure only the stronger riders will win this one,” Cookson said.
Dimension Data rider and 2011 world champion Mark Cavendish also feels that it will be a good race. “I actually think in terms of having a World Championships here in Qatar, and it’s quite a sensible idea,” Cavendish said after finishing second in yesterday's second stage of the tour, which is a test event for the world championships.
The stage incorporated four laps of the 15.4km finishing circuit on the Pearl, though the final seven kilometres of the stage is not part of the Worlds course.
“I don’t think the final circuit will create any splits but it’s definitely going to be uncomfortable no matter where you are in the group. It’s going to be tiring after that distance, you know, you can’t sit in and chill for the final.
“It actually makes for quite a good World Championships course. It’s quite a nice circuit. I think you’ll be surprised by how exciting it’ll be. It was windier today than I thought it was going to be actually, there wasn’t so much shelter from the buildings and the wind was coming always from a different direction when we moved around,” the former world champion added.
Cookson earlier flagged off a group of 136 riders who featured in the 145.5km stage II. He also took part in a promotional cycling event on the occasion the National Sport Day with Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani.
The five-day Tour of Qatar ends on Friday at Doha Corniche.