Manama, Bahrain, June 7, 2020: Cyclingnews, one of the most popular international cycling websites, has named His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, as one of 50 most influential personalities in world cycling.
Sheikh Nasser came in at 29th in the list with Cyclingnews writing: “The member of the Bahraini Royal family was the man behind the creation of the Bahrain McLaren Team in 2017. The main funding comes from state-run companies, while the McLaren Group is itself owned by the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat. At the heart of it all, pulling the strings of one of the biggest WorldTour teams, is Prince Nasser.”
Sheikh Nasser, 33, expressed utmost happiness at being among the top-50 cycling personalities in the world, saying it confirms Bahrain’s status in the sport.
The Secretary-General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Mohamed Hassan Al-Half, extended his warmest congratulations to HH Sheikh Nasser, who is also the President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in the country.
“This is the result of His Highness’s support and care for cycling among other sports and his outstanding contribution to the formation of the Bahrain McLaren Team,” Al-Half said.
The list contains many prominent figures in world cycling including riders. At number one is Marie-Odile Amaury, head of Group Amaury which runs the Tour de France. David Lappartient, president of the world cycling governing body, is second on the list. Three-time world champion Peter Sagan is fifth while Colombia’s reigning Tour de France champion Egan Bernal is sixth.