Pat McQuaid, the President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), took part in the presentation of the first Women’s Tour of Qatar in Paris on 21 January. The Women’s Tour of Qatar will be held from 8-10 February, following on from the men’s event (1-6 February) that has become a well-established part of the UCI Asia Tour.
Also taking part in the presentation of the new event were Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali Abdulla Al Thani, the President of the Qatari Cycling Federation and a very active promoter of women’s sport in Qatar; Mr Christian Prudhomme of ASO, the organiser of the Women’s Tour of Qatar and Director of the Tour de France; and also cycling legend, Eddy Merckx.
The Women’s Tour of Qatar is the first women’s event on the UCI International Calendar to be held in the Middle East. The event will launch the 2009 women’s cycling season. It seems certain that the event will distinguish itself as a result of its top-quality organisation and significant media coverage.
In terms of participation, the event welcomes 15 women’s teams from five different continents.
The launch of this new event demonstrates the UCI’s desire to develop women’s cycling around the world. It is against this background that the UCI is delighted that other new events outside Europe are scheduled for this year: the Vuelta Ciclista Femenina in Costa Rica, the Powerade Dome 2 Dome Cycling Spectacular in South Africa and the Grand Prix of San Salvador.
The UCI also warmly welcomes the forthcoming registration for 2009 of a South African team as the first African UCI Women’s Team. The South African national team is also set to compete in the Women’s Tour of Qatar.