Traditional Qatari feast at the end of a stage for participants in the the Tour de Qatar. The international cycling circus, invited by the ultra-rich oil state of Qatar, pays its first visit to the Middle East. The riders were the subject of bemused glances from locals as they rode through the desert, where a bicycle is a rare site. The Qatari government is attempting to build up its sporting reputation in the lead up to hosting the Asian Games of 2006.
