In contrast with the previous races this season, Ghuwayriyah is almost flat. But the 18km triangular lap opens up possibilities for attacking riders to get away and, if they work well together, they might just be rewarded with a gap when the wind turns in their favour. Always a popular venue, this village offers another view of Qatar... and excellent racing.
IMPORTANT! UNOFFICIAL VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FOLLOW BEHIND THE RACE. POLICE ARE PREPARED TO ENFORCE THIS. PLEASE RESPECT THE RULES FOR EVERYBODY'S SAFETY.
- Friday 4th January, starts from 7:00 am
- Start list
- Live Timing
- Results
Entry
- Full price 100 QAR
- QCTF members 75 QAR
- Late entry (if available) 125 QAR
- On-line registration in advance only. Entries close 18:00 Wednesday 2nd March or when race is full
Location
Al Meera Super Market - Ghuwayriyah village
- From Shamal Road take Zubarah exit
- After 8km take left turn
- Be careful, some satnav apps don't go to the correct place
Timetable
06:00 - 06:50 Sign on at event
06:50 Mandatory race briefing - all races
07:00 A Race start
07:03 B Race start
07:06 C Race start + Women
07:09 Novice Race start
06:50 Mandatory race briefing - all races
07:00 A Race start
07:03 B Race start
07:06 C Race start + Women
07:09 Novice Race start
Races & Grades
Bunch races are conducted in ability based grades. You are free to choose whichever ability category suits your level of fitness however it is expected that anyone in who earned a top three in C or D (Novice) grade placing in previous races will move one grade higher. Any rider who averaged 36kph or higher in the Ashghal Time Trial Series should enter A or B. The organiser reserves the right to place any competitor in a race which is deemed appropriate, based on all known results and other performance data.
A RACE
A RACE
- 5 laps (92 KM)
- Expected speed of winner 39-41 kph
- 4 laps (74km)
- Expected speed 36-38 kph
- 3 laps (55.5km)
- Expected speed 34-35 kph
- 3 laps (55.5km)
- Expected speed 31-33 kph
Route
An almost flat 18.6 km clockwise loop, starting in the village and finally finishing a few hundred meters before it. The route is marked with fluoro yellow direction arrows marked with the QCF or Tour of Qatar logo. It is your responsibility to follow the course as their are no marshals.
Garmin route
Garmin route
Facilities
- Toilets & Supermarket - our thanks to Al Meera for opening their facility to us. Please support them
- Rasen Adventure Shop mechanics
Safety notices
- Some junctions have loose gravel
- There are speed humps around the course but they are all gently sloped. DO NOT BRAKE.
- A course change has been made to avoid poor road surface. This change requires a turn across a road. As this road is a dead end it is very unlikely that there will be traffic but you are reminded that this is not a closed road event and you must follow normal road rules.
- See Safety & Conduct for general information about safety.
COVID-19
Corona virus regulations & precautions
- Wear a mask - at all times before the start and after the finish of your race when within the event site or less than 2m separation cannot be maintained from others
- Keep 2m minimum distance from others
- Ehteraz will be checked
Emergency
Emergency contact: Neil Melville 66251392
Call this number to arrange mechanical support or medical assistance. Each race will have a dedicated support car following the main bunch (but not those dropped from it). If you need assistance to return to the start, the 'broom wagon' will follow the last rider in the race.
Abandoning the race: Please ensure that you inform a race official if abandoning the race. Doing so means no time is wasted looking for you and we know that everyone is safe. Remember to return your timing chip and number.
Call this number to arrange mechanical support or medical assistance. Each race will have a dedicated support car following the main bunch (but not those dropped from it). If you need assistance to return to the start, the 'broom wagon' will follow the last rider in the race.
Abandoning the race: Please ensure that you inform a race official if abandoning the race. Doing so means no time is wasted looking for you and we know that everyone is safe. Remember to return your timing chip and number.
Rules & Eligibility
- The races are open to anyone. It is not necessary to have a Qatar ID or be resident in Qatar.
- No race licence is required
- This race is for road bikes only. TT and triathlon bikes are not allowed and clip-on aerobars must be removed.
- FOLLOW THE COURSE - Marshals and signs are there to help but it’s your responsibility to follow the course. Typically, races follow the road rules. That means staying in the right lane and taking roundabouts anti-clockwise, unless otherwise indicated by signage or race briefing.
- YOUR BIKE MUST BE SAFE - Your race will be over before it starts if you show up with a bike equipped with aerobars (of course they are allowed for time trials!) or unplugged bar ends. Where there is a bike check, the official will also be looking at brakes, headset and tire wear.
- RIDE SAFELY RESPECTING OTHERS - Riding deemed to be the direct, indirect or even just potential cause of an accident may see you pulled from the race. Unnecessary braking, riding without care or forceful physical contact are all dangerous. If you lack experience of riding in a group, you really must practice before joining a race.
- WEAR A HELMET
- DON'T JOIN ANOTHER RACE - In multi lap races such as criteriums you may not gain advantage by joining riders who did not start at the same time as you. In any race, if you are dropped, you may join riders from other grades but may not play an active part in their race e.g. be lead rider, close down breaks etc.
- DON'T GAIN ADVANTAGE FROM A VEHICLE - Drafting a passing truck, police or support vehicle is clearly cheating. Should you stop for a mechanical problem, support vehicles are allowed to return you to the back of the race. But they are not allowed to give draft assistance if you have been dropped and you are not allowed to ride in the vehicle.
- LITTERING - Really? You can get a DQ for throwing a gel wrapper? Yes. Police support and use of many venues depends on leaving the course clean. Littering is taken very seriously.
- DON'T RIDE WITH HEADPHONES - You need your full attention on the race and awareness of what is happening around you. You must not use a phone, listen to music, use headphones or be distracted by any other device while riding.
- LISTEN TO THE RACE BRIEFING - Race briefings emphasise the important safety points on the course. Nine times out of ten they repeat stuff you already read in the race information but sometimes there are last minute changes that are vital to know about. If they are about safety or course changes you could easily find yourself with a DQ. If English isn’t your first language, study the race information, read the rule book, listen to the briefing extra carefully and ask if you don’t understand. Not knowing is no excuse.
Awards
Our thanks to Sports Corner and Rasen Adventure Shop who continue to support the cycling community. They will provide vouchers for first 3 places in each grade. Complete results are available on the results section of this site as soon as possible after the race.