• UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar, centre, celebrates his overall victory in the Giro d'Italia with second-placed Daniel Martinez, left, and third-placed Geraint Thomas on the podium after the final stage in Rome on Sunday, May 26, 2024. AP
    UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar, centre, celebrates his overall victory in the Giro d'Italia with second-placed Daniel Martinez, left, and third-placed Geraint Thomas on the podium after the final stage in Rome on Sunday, May 26, 2024. AP
  • Giro d'Italia winner Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates lifts the trophy. AP
    Giro d'Italia winner Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates lifts the trophy. AP
  • UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar flashes the victory sign after crossing the finish line. AP
    UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar flashes the victory sign after crossing the finish line. AP
  • UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates his Giro d'Italia victory, AP
    UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates his Giro d'Italia victory, AP
  • Belgium's Tim Merlier after his victory in Stage 21. AP
    Belgium's Tim Merlier after his victory in Stage 21. AP
  • Belgium's Tim Merlier of Soudal-QuickStep crosses the finish line to win Stage 21 of the Giro D'Italia. AP
    Belgium's Tim Merlier of Soudal-QuickStep crosses the finish line to win Stage 21 of the Giro D'Italia. AP
  • Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier beats Lidl-Trek's Jonathan Milan to win Stage 21. Reuters
    Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier beats Lidl-Trek's Jonathan Milan to win Stage 21. Reuters
  • Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates, centre, and the peloton pass the Colosseum in Rome. EPA
    Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates, centre, and the peloton pass the Colosseum in Rome. EPA
  • Cyclists ride through Rome. AP
    Cyclists ride through Rome. AP
  • Team UAE's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader's pink jersey gives a victory sign as he rides alongside teammate Vegard Laengen. AFP
    Team UAE's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader's pink jersey gives a victory sign as he rides alongside teammate Vegard Laengen. AFP
  • Team Bardiani's Giulio Pellizzari, wearing the best climber's blue jersey, Team Lidl-Trek's Jonathan Milan, wearing the best sprinter's purple jersey, Team UAE's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's pink jersey, and Team Bahrain's Antonio Tiberi, wearing the best young rider's white jersey, during Stage 21. AFP
    Team Bardiani's Giulio Pellizzari, wearing the best climber's blue jersey, Team Lidl-Trek's Jonathan Milan, wearing the best sprinter's purple jersey, Team UAE's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's pink jersey, and Team Bahrain's Antonio Tiberi, wearing the best young rider's white jersey, during Stage 21. AFP

Tadej Pogacar Q&A: I could never have imagined a Giro d'Italia win as beautiful as this


  • English
  • Arabic

Tadej Pogacar blew away his rivals to win the Giro d'Italia on his debut in the race, winning by the biggest overall margin since 1965.

The UAE Team Emirates rider had been in the leader's pink jersey since winning Stage 2, the first of his six stage successes, and finished the ceremonial 125-kilometre Stage 21 safely in the bunch as Tim Merlier won the stage.

The Slovenian, 25, reflects on his stunning success in the famous race.

Can you put into words the experience and feeling you have after winning the Giro d’Italia?

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet to be honest. I think once I get home and spend some time recovering after a week or so it will sink in. My first time in Rome. An awesome city, wearing the Pink jersey after Primoz [Roglic] won last year, it’s amazing to have two Slovenian consecutive winners of the Giro. We as Slovenians could never have imagined this, so we can be very proud, and we look to keep progressing and getting better.”

Thinking back to the start line of Stage 1 – could you have possibly imagined winning the GC by 9 minutes and 56 seconds?

“No never. It is a race with such history, such importance, and we were competing with some of the best guys in the world. I had lots of faith and confidence in our guys to produce a strong result over the three weeks of racing. But to win in the style that we did and working together so well, no I could never have imagined this. It was beautiful.”

If you had to pinpoint one moment that stands out from the rest, which would that be?

“Every race, the more experience you get the better. You grow into a race, especially when it lasts across three weeks. It is hard to pick one moment as there were so many special moments – with my teammates, with the fans, with my competitors. It was a beautiful race full of beautiful moments and maybe we will re-live them in the future.”

This was obviously an incredibly special period for you. How would you summarize the three weeks?

“It was a fantastic moment and experience. It was crazy with the atmosphere. The Tifosi, fans from all around the world, with a lot of Slovenian fans as well, meant I could enjoy this with great emotion. It was super cool, super nice, the organisation was pretty good, and I really enjoyed it with the team. All in all, it was a really great experience.”

Taking you back to the Queen’s stage – you mentioned that this stage in particular was one that you all had highlighted many months ago to try and target a victory. How amazing was this stage to win atop of Livigno?

“Winning this stage was an amazing moment for me and for all of the guys. It was a super hard stage, with some super strong guys in the breakaway riding really hard. My teammates did an incredible job to keep the breakaway under control, and then when Rafa [Majka] produced a big turn for me, I gave it everything to get the win. I’m super happy that I could win the queen stage in Livigno, one of my favourite places in Italy.”

How good was the effort that each rider put in to work together across some really brutal stages in order for you to come out victorious?

“None of this would be possible without my teammates. The way they work every single day, this Giro d’Italia is a win for us all and for them. Also to the backroom team and technical team. They are the very best, and over three long weeks, the help and expertise they give us on the bike is really amazing.”

How does it feel to have the trust and belief of all of your teammates and their commitment to keep working so hard?

“We had a super strong group of guys here. We have all ridden together in the past in different races, so we knew each other’s skills and strengths and we kept pushing super hard every single day in trying to achieve our goal. It is a joy to ride with my teammates, I love being with them on and off the bike, so this is really special for us all.”

Stage 20, finishing atop of Monte Grappa was a stage that seemed really important to you.

“It was a beautiful stage for me. I wanted to get the win for all of my teammates and the team who have put so much into this Giro. I really felt we deserved to finish with an amazing moment like this after three really hard weeks of racing. Wearing the Pink jersey a lot is not always easy, so I wanted to ensure we finished this Giro in the best possible way. I’m super happy and proud of our performance.”

Not only were you riding with the support of your teammates, but also of the Italian and Slovenian fans who seemed to be with you every step of the way. Could you feel that amazing support on the bike and how does that push you to keep performing?

“It was a crazy experience throughout three weeks in Italy. Crazy fans, crazy racing, and I’m so happy to also have good legs, so I’m delighted with how the Giro went. It was beautiful racing.

“There were a lot of kids and fans throughout the race, even when the parkour was 200km long. I was really happy to see all that. Days like on Monte Grappa with the young boy and the water bottle, this is the beauty of our sport. It was a really nice moment.”

As this achievement starts to sink in, what does the next couple of weeks look like for Tadej Pogacar?

“Now I’ll take a few days to switch off and relax, and then slowly rebuild and restart to try to keep these legs and improve as much as possible. I have been away from my home for a long time now, so it is important for me to spend some time there and switch off for a short period. We’ll see how the sensations are when we start again on the bike soon.”

Looking ahead to the Tour de France, how much confidence will you take from winning the Giro?

“As a rider, I felt super strong and comfortable during the three long weeks on the bike. I was in the spot where I want to be so I can take a lot of confidence with how I felt on the bike and my overall performance. After a good rest, I can try to work to improve this feeling, so I think I’m on a really good path for the next part of the season.

"But, it’s not all about the Tour. I’ve loved the Giro, and it’s about how you manage your life and where you find the happiness. I don’t think you can just solely have one big goal for the season. For me it is better to have a diverse program and go along to have a strong calendar, a good life, and try to enjoy the races.”

Lastly, a word to the fans here in the UAE who have been supporting the team incredibly all season, but especially throughout the Giro. What would you say to them?

“When I stood on the winner’s podium in Rome, I had the flag of Slovenia and the flag of the UAE wrapped around me. We felt the support of all of our fans in the UAE all season, but also here in the Giro. We are super proud to represent the UAE and will keep pushing hard this season for all of our fans.”

ICC Intercontinental Cup

UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed

Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2

UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium

Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai

Results

4pm: Maiden (Dirt) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Moshaher, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).

4.35pm: Handicap (D) Dh165,000 2,200m
Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5.10pm: Maiden (Turf) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Rua Augusta, Harry Bentley, Ahmad bin Harmash.

5.45pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,200m
Winner: Private’s Cove, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.

6.20pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 1,600m
Winner: Azmaam, Jim Crowley, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6.55pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,400m
Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

7.30pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 2,000m
Winner: Rio Tigre, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

RESULT

Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg

Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

Planes grounded by coronavirus

British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30

Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong

Ai Seoul:  Suspended all flights to China

Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March

Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February

South Korea's Asiana Airlines,  Jeju Air  and Jin Air: Suspend all flights

UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

RESULT

Chelsea 2

Willian 13'

Ross Barkley 64'

Liverpool 0

EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra

Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa

Rating: 4/5

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 

Rainbow

Kesha

(Kemosabe)

Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC

Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045

Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E1.45pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Green%20Oasis%20Trading%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh50%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Meeqat%2C%20Saif%20Al%20Balushi%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Shafar%20Investment%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Flying%20Hunter%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ahmad%20bin%20Harmash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EThe%20Union%2051%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ibra%20Attack%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Shemaili%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.15pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ASCANA%20Thakaful%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Onda%20Ruggente%2C%20Royston%20Ffrench%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommercial%20Bank%20of%20Dubai%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Dignity%20Joy%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20Real%20Estate%20Centre%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tolmount%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJebel%20Ali%20Racecourse%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C950m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERakeez%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Traces%20of%20Enayat
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20Mersal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20And%20Other%20Stories%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: May 30, 2024, 9:53 AM