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Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3, 01.02.2013

Al Saleel - Arqi Loop - Wadi Quryat - Arqi Loop - Al Saleel

Longest stage - 128 km

Even if I am still gutted that I did not ride it myself, I think my photos will contribute more to the good of the race than if I was one of the riders tortured and chewed by beautifull but rough Omani scenery then spat battered to finish line. Even if there were more photographers who opted to pick one or two spots only and most probably their pics are better that mine, I went around and tried to take snaps from various interesting spots and in same time keep with leaders and take photo (and video!) as they are crossing finish line - impossible. Hopefully it will provide good evidence what was Trans Hajar about.

Selection of 80 pics from approx. 440. Enjoy.

Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Race village is waking up, the riders preparing their drinks
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Suleiman - one of only two Omani riders - is checking his position
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Here...
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Lake (organizer) leads Day 3 briefing
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Riders facing the longest day - 128 km - look worried
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Hannele Steyn of South Africa - she took TH as preparation for Cape Epic
- and she will be first woman who completed all 10 Cape Epics
She kept 1st position in Women category from TT and rode with strongest men
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
On start line
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Lake with his new toy - Fat bike - will lead the pack
thru Neutral zone on black top
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Ian checking the presence of the riders
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Started!
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Neutral zone on black top - first 2 km - No overtaking!
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Fat bike on the front
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Rich on quad as sweeper
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
On graded road fast men took off led by local rider James Powers (69 - his favourite position, ehm, number) - favourites line up
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
2nd batch of riders led by Kati Csak (ZA) - woman on 2nd position in Ladies category
Kati is organizer of Cape Epic and apparently also good rider
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Riders disappeared in the cloud of dust
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
30 km into the race - on the front was formed group of 3 strong riders - Dave Shennan (GB) of Dubai (42) is leading swiss Thomas Kammerman (2nd overall) and Rob Barel (NL, former World Chamipion in Triathlon - 1st overal)
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Group of pursuers 1 and a half minutes behind
(30) Marcel Farres and local riders (69) James Powers (GB) and (31) Chris Reijmer (NL)
Chris eventually finished in 3rd position overall
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Short downhill
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Short downhill
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Suli on the track
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
One of female riders on the track
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Nutrition is important, but you should peel it first, mate
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Simon Elliot (GB) - local rider - even if in the back of the field still in the good mood showing V for Victory
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Youcef - 3rd position in GC - suffered with flat tires and in the moment is loosing almost 13 minutes on leaders
Bridge on Muscat - Quryat highway in the background
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Hannele (ZA) - best in Ladies - also had flat and was riding in the back of the pack but with strong performace caught up with front of the race
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Ray is manning turning point below the highway bridge to Arqi loop
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
One of many treacherous climbs on Arqi loop
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Hannele is pushing hard and in progress overtaking lot of slower riders
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Gritted teeth on Arqi loop climbs
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Leaders on the fast part of Arqi loop
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Next 3 riders now with gap approx. 3 minutes
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Watering station near Arqi village manned by Margaret and Bob Tunbridge
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Watering station
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Hannele (1st Lady) and Youcef (that time 3rd in Man category) temporarily teamed up near Arqi
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Riders passing Moqsue in the village
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Into Wadi Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Splashes in the pools of Wadi Quryat were great photo oportunity
Rider - (13) Edmond Menzies - creating nice wave
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Into Wadi Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Enjoying the pool
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
This is the right technique
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Splashes in Wadi Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Splashes in Wadi Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Smile for photographer
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Wadi Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Different riders - different techniques
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Another splash
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Simon is still ploughing thru soft gravel before entering the valley
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Water station in Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Group of pursuers on highway section
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Old switchbacks road near Quryat - steep climb forced riders to dig deep into their bags
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Old switchbacks road near Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
I don't think there will be problem with speed limit
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Old switchbacks road near Quryat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Another group of riders approaching the hill
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Another group of riders approaching the hill
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Willy fighting it off the seat
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
You can read it from the faces of riders how they are enjoying the climb
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Sweat in the eyes
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Ladies has all the time nice smile for photograper
2nd and 3rd in Ladies category (27) Kati Csak (ZA) and (22) Julie Elder (UK)
...and see the face of the spanish guy in orange ;) next day he had unfortunate accident not even 3 km into the ride, broke his collar bone and endded in Hospital
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Long way to Mutrah
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
One of the pleasant bits - downhill from Quryat hill
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
These boys have enough, suffering by heat and dehydration - while leaders were already back in Arqi loop, they did not even reach Wadi Quryat and for own safety were stopped by organizers
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Frans's golden tank now int the role of broomwagon
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Organizer Dave Beniston is directing riders to Arqi loop
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Refreshment
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Youcef Cummings - after 3 flat tires and huge time loss (13 mins on 30km mark) now riding on 4th position
Start of single track section, 6 km to Finish. Dust behind his rear wheel shows that these strong guys are seriously fast
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
James Powers in Rock Garden
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
All that stones in Rock Garden were trying to kick the riders off the balance
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
On single track section
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
On single track section
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
On single track section
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Slick rock - riders were passing it over the race on different stages 3 times
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Race village after race - lucky faster riders enjoying the shade while slower ones are still out there
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Frans the mechanic had busy few days on Trans Hajar
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Another customer for Frans's Oman Bicycle shop
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Frans and Lucky on Trans Hajar
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Long day
Trans Hajar 2013 - Day 3 - Photo
Sometimes bike bites back

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