Qatar Airways sponsors 12th annual tour of Qatar cycling race

Fans have been turning out to watch favourites for this year's title Mark Cavendish, Fabian Cancellara and Edvald Boasson Hagen in action as they manipulate the Qatar winds to work in their favour.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the airline was once again delighted to continue its association with world-class cycling.

"2013 is set to be a big year for world-class sport in the State of Qatar and we are very pleased to once again bring some of the world's best cyclists to Doha for the prestigious Tour of Qatar," he said.

"From golf, to football and cycling, Qatar Airways has a proud tradition of supporting leading sports events and this year sees some big names competing here," he added.

"Following on from the highly successful women's race which ended last weekend, it is the turn of the men racing in true competitive fashion for the coveted title and I wish them all the very best as the race gets into full swing this week," he concluded.

Qatar Airways sponsored the 2013 Ladies Tour of Qatar, with Dutch sprinter Kirsten Wild crowned victorious last week after completing four stages over a distance of 392 kilometres. The men's Tour runs until Friday February 8.

One of the world's fastest growing airlines, Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 119 aircraft to 124 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas with the aggressive expansion continuing into 2013.

Over the next few weeks and months, Qatar Airways will launch services to a diverse portfolio of new routes, including Phnom Penh, Cambodia (February 20); Chengdu, China (March 19); Chicago, USA (April 10); and Salalah, Oman (May 22).