Historic first for Bahrain cycling!

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Team Bahrain Victorious announced yesterday the signing of the first Bahraini UCI WorldTour cyclist Ahmed Madan for the upcoming 2021 season.

Since Bahrain entered the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour back in 2017, one of the ambitions was always to inspire young riders and develop the most talented to ride with world’s best in the pro peloton.

The first to meet this ambition is 20-year-old Ahmed Madan, who joined the Bahrain national team in 2018.

After a series of strong performances, Madan’s potential was rewarded with a place in the Bahrain Cycling Academy, which was founded by His Majesty the King’s Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to provide promising young cyclists with a path to professional cycling. After one year of racing with the academy, Madan graduated to the UCI continental circuit.

His passion and attitude during this time caught the attention of Bahrain Cycling Association president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who identified Madan as a cyclist who could move up the ranks.

Shaikh Khalid commented: “Ahmed came to the cycling scene through group rides and mountain biking, but he started to show his talent once he started road racing.

His first official camp with the national team was in Turkey where he quickly showed his potential.

“His passion for cycling is his biggest asset because it drives him to put in the necessary training to reach the top. “Last season, he raced with Bahrain Cycling Academy on the UCI continental circuit.

Making the step up to the UCI WorldTour is a big feat as Ahmed is the first Bahraini rider to join the elite riders of the cycling world.

“Ahmed will hopefully lead a new wave of Bahrain cyclists that can compete at the highest level and bring success to cycling in the Kingdom.”

Madan is looking forward to his first season in UCI WorldTour cycling and is hoping he will inspire other young Bahraini’s to take up the sport and make it at the highest level.

On signing with the team, Madan said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who has given all young Bahraini cyclists a path to compete in this amazing sport. “I’m excited about signing for the team, and I want to work hard to make Bahrain proud. “This is an opportunity for me to take my cycling to the next level and learn from some of the best cyclists in the world.

Team Bahrain Victorious

Team Bahrain Victorious is the new name of the squad, previously Team Bahrain McLaren, for the 2021 season, as part of a change in its strategic direction.

This transition represents an exciting new chapter in the team’s journey, which will expedite its vision to showcase the ambition and optimism of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the world.

The inclusion of Victorious into the team’s name serves as a constant reminder of its goal to achieve success at the highest level both on and off the bike.

To complement the existing rider line-up which includes Mikel Landa, Pello Bilbao, Wout Poels, Dylan Teuns, Sonny Colbrelli and Matej Mohoric, the team has signed Jack Haig, Jonathan Milan and Gino Mäder, along with Bahrain Ahmed Madan.

The team’s founder, His Majesty the King’s Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa commented: “Cycling is one of the most challenging sports which requires dedication, discipline and perseverance. It’s these values that are needed to take on endurance sports which are capable of promoting a better lifestyle for all.

“Team Bahrain Victorious will reflect our vision for building a performance-first team that aims to inspire and win at the highest level.” The team’s strong connection to the Kingdom is represented by the proud support of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Bapco, Batelco, National Bank of Bahrain and Alba, amongst many others.