The excitement continued in the Qassim region with the start of the fourth day of the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships, amidst an exceptional competitive atmosphere that brought together a selection of Asia's top champions. The outstanding Saudi organization of the championships reflects the Kingdom's rapid development in hosting major sporting events, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
The day's competitions saw a significant visit from the President of the Asian Cycling Confederation, Dato' Amarjee, to the championship venue, where he was accompanied by the President of the Saudi Cycling Federation, Abdullah Al-Shahrani, on a field tour. During the tour, they reviewed the logistical arrangements for the participating teams and the athletes' preparations, as well as the organizational aspects that ensure the smooth running of the event according to the highest international standards.
Results of day four: Kazakhstani dominance and Chinese presence
In the elite mixed relay time trial, covering a distance of 31.6 kilometers, Hong Kong secured the gold medal and first place, while Kazakhstan finished second and China third. In the junior mixed relay, covering a distance of 20 kilometers, Kazakhstan dominated, taking first place, followed by Uzbekistan in second, while China finished third.
A Saudi achievement in the professors category
The Masters category witnessed wide participation from cyclists over 30 years of age, with the men's open individual time trial covering 20 kilometers and the women's 15.8 kilometers. The intense competition resulted in more than 12 winners being crowned across the various age categories. In a remarkable achievement, two Saudi cyclists secured medals (silver and bronze), reflecting the significant development of Saudi cycling at the Masters level and its ability to compete regionally.
The importance of the tournament as a sporting and economic platform
The Kingdom's hosting of the Asian Cycling Championships holds strategic importance that transcends mere sporting competition. It is an integral part of the Kingdom's efforts to solidify its position as a global sports hub. Domestically, the championship promotes the Qassim region as a sports tourism destination, boosts its local economy, and inspires young Saudis to take up cycling. Internationally, this event underscores Saudi Arabia's ability to efficiently organize continental and global sporting events, strengthening its bid to host major future championships.
Background on the Asian Cycling Championships
The Asian Road Cycling Championships, organized by the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), is the premier event on the continent's cycling calendar. Established decades ago, the championships have become a major platform where Asia's best cyclists compete not only for the continental title but also for qualification to the World Championships and the Olympic Games. Winning a medal at these championships is a great honor for participating nations and significantly enhances their athletes' international standing.
At the conclusion of the competitions, the winners were crowned in a ceremony where Abdullah Al-Shahrani and Dato’ Amarjee presented the medals to the champions in the various categories, amidst a festive atmosphere that reflected the success of the fourth day of the tournament.
