With only four days to go until the kick-off race of the UCI Road World Championships, Doha 2016 the Organising Committee is gearing up towards the grand opening of cycling’s prestigious event.
Yesterday was a busy day for the organisers who, besides other commitments and planning implementations, held a meeting with The Pearl-Qatar residents, while they also had the chance to test the water taxis’ and golf courts’ itinerary schedule.
In Marsa Malaz Kempinski, His Excellency the Chairman of the Organising Committee UCI Road World Championships, Doha 2016, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani informed those who dwell in The Pearl, the location where all eleven disciplines of the competition will end up, about the organisers’ planning to minimise inconvenience the road closures might cause throughout the eight-day programme of the competition.    
“Supporting the Qatar Olympic Committee’s mission for the State of Qatar to become a leading nation in sustainable sport development, the 2016 Organising Committee has carefully planned a World Championships event that showcases Qatar and its Arabian Hospitality. It is a great pleasure and honour to be the first country in the Middle East since the championships were first held in 1921,” Sheikh Khalid said in his welcome message.
The Pearl residents were informed about the alternative ways and paths the organisers will be obliged, due to the UCI requirements, to follow during the days of competition, starting from Saturday October 8, a day dedicated to the Time Trial Training. Road closures information as well as available parking areas and alternative ways to exit or enter the Pearl may be found on the event’s website www.dohacycling2016.com.
For additional info and any queries should arise, the Organising Committee’s social media accounts are at citizens’ disposal to submit their questions, while al-Thani also encouraged The Pearl residents to visit the Organising Committee’s headquarters in Qatar Sports Club in the West Bay in case they won’t initially receive a convincing answer.
“None of the cities that hosted past events were built to facilitate an UCI RWC, hence we kindly ask for your understanding and patience.
“You must also take into consideration that you are privileged to enjoy the unique opportunity of having a prestigious sporting event held right next to your door,” Sheikh Khalid urged the attendees.

Water taxis and
golf carts tested
The Sports Affair Director of the Ministry of Culture, Abdulrahman al-Dossari and Hussain Akbar al-Baker, Director of Marketing and Communications of the Organising Committee in The Pearl, had the chance to test the new marine itinerary which will be used to serve the needs of the Doha residents throughout the eight days of competition.
The dhow trip from Katara to Porto Arabia lasted no more than 15 minutes for the small group of officials and their entourage, who followed the golf-cart route upon arrival to the marine and thus continued and concluded their short trip that many Pearl residents will utilise daily during the UCI Road World Championships, Doha 2016.
More than 100 golf carts will be available to satisfy the needs of the large and multi-cultural Pearl community.
Al-Dosari was satisfied in general with the planning, made his remarks to the transportation team and expressed his optimism that the planning for this quite demanding and challenging task will be executed perfectly by all involved departments.
Both parties agreed for a final testing of the golf-cart route on Friday.