Crossword Genius

Mate initially needs ten cycles as competitor (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opponent

'competitor' is the definition.
(opponent is a kind of competitor)

'mate initially needs ten cycles' is the wordplay.
'mate' becomes 'oppo' (I've seen this before**).
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'cycles' is an anagram indicator.
The first letter of 'needs' is 'n'.
'ten' is an anagram of 'ent'.
'oppo'+'n'+'ent'='OPPONENT'

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for opponent that I've seen before include "Foe or competitor" , "Challenger" , "Adversary, competitor" , "The one you're up against" , "Contestant you're matched against" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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