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Lebanon Lebanon

Tamara Zein

Tamara came to cycling from skiing and began winning races in Lebanon and the Middle East. The scholarship helped her understand how to take the next step into European racing.

Tamara Zein

Her story

Getting to the start line

Success at home did not make reaching Europe straightforward. Tamara faced the costs of travel, visa difficulties, a lack of contacts and races that required teams Lebanon did not have.

Learning beyond the bike

In Flanders, Tamara met coaches, team managers and professional riders. Kateryna helped her during a race, and conversations with programme director Cindy Pomares helped her work through difficult days and a crash. She also learned by watching a race from the team car.

Connecting Belgium and Lebanon

Tamara runs a cycling academy at home. In her interview she describes working with Jamie Anderson on opportunities for young riders from the Middle East and North Africa, using what she has learned in Belgium to help other riders find their way into the sport.

Early days

Tamara riding towards the camera in an orange jersey and helmet
Shown in her interview as Tamara explains that she came to cycling from skiing only a few years ago. Photo courtesy of the rider. See this moment in the interview on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Tamara racing in a red and white Lebanon national team kit
Racing in Lebanon's colours, shown as she talks about her first wins at home. Photo courtesy of the rider. See this moment in the interview on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Watch Tamara's interview

Playing loads YouTube. Captions and full-screen controls are available in the player.