Riding high

Swift cyclist Ahmed Madan has just been named to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour, making him the first Bahraini professional cyclist to ride in Team Bahrain Victorious and represent the country on an international stage.

While Madan could easily rest on his handlebars and think that he has made it, the down-to-earth youngster is acutely aware of the learning curve ahead... steeper than some of the mountain climbs he will soon encounter. 

Born in 2000 to Abdulghani, an air traffic controller, and Shukria, a retired teacher, Madan remembers riding around his village of Daih when he was three but he would often leave his bicycle behind, preferring to play football (“I was bad”) and basketball (“even worse”)!

It was only when Madan turned 13 and got his first mountain bike that he realised how much he enjoyed the experience.

Since then, he has only ever looked back when checking for traffic!

When he started, he would easily get overtaken by riders on the backroads of Zallaq.

Fortunately, one of them, Mikael Gilliam, encouraged and challenged him: “Once you can keep up I will give you proper cycling shoes and equipment.”

Challenge accepted and weeks later Madan was the proud owner of new cycling cleats.

As his passion grew he started to compete. He bought his first road bike at the age of 16.

His first race was a time trial in the Al Areen area, where he finished “comfortably last”.

In 2018 Madan was selected for the national team. Despite competing as a junior, he won his first laurel during the same year at the Bahrain national road race.

When the team was presented an ‘easy day’ he could be found extending himself on sand tracks or up hills. Even now he admits to looking for a headwind so that he can battle into it, working through different gears to adapt his training, both on and off-road.

He represented Bahrain in 2018 at the Mountain Bike championships in Oman finishing fifth. Last year he won the Saudi Arabia mountain bike race.

Madan now finds himself racing with the finest riders at the pinnacle of the sport.

Under new coach Aritz Arberas he described his sessions as becoming “harder than ever” but also has complete trust that the whole extended team will provide support and carefully manage his progress.

“Madan is at the right age to start the journey of learning the ropes of professional cycling. What sets him apart is his desire to be good and work hard,” Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain Cycling Association said.

“Madan will not have a lot of time to adapt and will need to work around a schedule of training in Europe as well as the current Covid-19 pandemic.

“After spending one season with the continental team, Bahrain Cycling Academy, the jump will be quite big and more demanding.

“Madan should be able to navigate the challenge knowing the nation is behind him.”

The 20-year-old has enjoyed the opportunities provided by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, to interact with members of the Bahrain Merida team since its inception and even raced alongside the Endurance 13, notably Alistair Brownlee and Jan Frodeno, in addition to recently claiming the national team time trial alongside Shaikh Nasser.

Madan draws inspiration from peers like Norwegian rider Jonas and his colleagues Sayed Ahmed Khalil and Jawad Mansoor, as well as Bahrainis in other sports including the Bahrain football team and triathlete Abdulla Attiya.

The lad is under no illusions as to how far he still has to go! While he has aspirations to one day raise his hands aloft at the top of a brutal mountain stage at the Tour de France, short-term goals lie much closer to home. 

For now, it would be a major achievement just to be selected in any of the team events this year. After all he is yet to compete in a championship and has only raced once in a four-day race in Turkey which ended badly.

His training is currently being geared towards the Gulf Games in March and the Arab Championships in the UAE, where he will compete in the U23 category. His performance in these races will determine whether he can compete in the world championships.

“Madan will certainly need to grow mentally and physically to meet the demands of the Pro team,” Shaikh Khalid added.

“Easier said than done, the training program for Pro cyclists is very rigorous and requires dedication and perseverance.”

If his past is any evidence, these are qualities found aplenty in Bahrain’s newest professional face of cycling!