Testing their endurance to the limits, some 300 mountain bike enthusiasts gravitated to Dam-2 Showka in Ras Al Khaimah last Oct. 13 for what had been the biggest mountain bike race event the UAE has ever seen in recent years.
Dubbed Giant Showka XC Race 2017, this event was the season opening salvo for the mountain biking community sponsored by Giant-RBS owned by Shahriar Khodjasteh while the secondary sponsor was Magicshine by Jessie Cruz. The race was organized by UAE MTB Jumeirah headed by Engr. Frankie Boton.
The tracks were made particularly for the event by Jumeirah Enduro Team, experts in making trails. It was a mixed jeep and single tracks composed of rock gardens crossing a wadi with steep downhill an uphill maneuvers from one mountain to another where in most of riders needed to at times walk and push their bikes on the tracks. One lap is equivalent to a 3.2-kilometer loop.
Participants needed to ride seven laps for all categories with the exception of those in the Lady Newbies, which only had to finish two. The racers in the different categories were “released” in a five-minute interval. Tough as it was, the riders had to be separated from their bikes within a 20-meter distance before the race started, and look for them when the go signal was given, before they could actually start riding.
Participants for the Men’s and Women’s Open Category were of different nationalities coming from all over UAE . Those who signed up for the 40 Below, 41 Above and Lady Newbies were all Filipinos belonging to different mountain biking groups like Chaindrive and BRAD, which were both from Abu Dhabi; Al Ain MTB from Al Ain; Eskinita, Jumeirah JET’s, Jumeirah Cycling Team, Jumeirah Wings and Tiwala Lang MTB, Barangay 4×4 Riders, MTB Republic and Metro Bikers from Dubai.
Transportation from Dubai to the venue was subsidized by the organizer, while food and drinks were free. for all the Participants & Visitors which was about an estimated number of more than 300 people including riders. Lots of riders brought their friends and family for the overnight camping held the night before the race.
- CATEGORIES (Winners & Results)
1.) Women’s Open Category – Number of Participants: 6
1st Placer: Rebecca Menke from Abu Dhabi No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:47.54
2nd Placer: Claire Aniag from Dubai No. of Laps: 6 only Time: 1:58.31
3rd Placer: Michelle Guarin from Dubai No. of Laps: 5 only Time: 2:08.48
2.) Men’s Open Category – Number of Participants: 37
1st Placer: Carl Simmons from Jebel Ali No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:37.51
2nd Placer: David Sudlow from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:42.18
3rd Placer: Glen Impey from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:47.19
3.) Lady Newbies Category – Number of Participants: 4
1st Placer: Charmaine Dichoso from Dubai No. of Laps: 2 Time: 58:14.2
2nd Placer: Imee Agbayani from Dubai No. of Laps: 2 Time: 59:57.7 3rd Placer: Myra Macalma from Dubai No. of Laps: 2 Time: 1:16.18
4.) Men 40 Below Category – Number of Participants: 58
1st Placer: Gemman Antonio from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:47.18
2nd Placer: Robinson Merlin from Abu Dhabi No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:50.52
3rd Placer: Kirby Andea from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:51.05
5.) Club Men 41 Above Category – Number of Participants: 35
1st Placer: Alfred Dumo from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:53.20
2nd Placer: Arnold Lopez from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 1:54.59
3rd Placer: Baber Sharif from Dubai No. of Laps: 7 Time: 2:04.28
- PRIZES: VOUCHERS (By: Giant-Ride Bike Shop)
1.) All 5 category winners received:
1st Placer: Voucher- Dh 700, Magicshine Lights, Trophy, Certificate, Medal
2nd Placer: Voucher-Dh 500 Trophy, Certificate, Medal
3rd Placer: Voucher- Dh 300 Trophy, Certificate, Medal
2.) Special contest for best photographer – Dh 500 voucher
