Alexander Kristoff underlined a strong first season with UAE Team Emirates by claiming victory on the final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday in Paris.
The Norwegian rider's victory has continued his good form since he joined from Team Katusha for this year's racing.
Kristoff, 31, talks to The National about his feelings on life with the team, his success, the challenges of preparing for a three-week long race and future targets on the horizon.
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Read more
UAE Team Emirates already focused on future success at Tour de France after 'perfect finish' to 2018 race
Podium finish at Tour de France the next goal for UAE Team Emirates rider Dan Martin
UAE team's Kristoff wins final Tour de France stage as Thomas clinches race
Rui Costa and Ben Swift return for UAE Team Emirates at London-Surrey Classic
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On enjoying life with UAE Team Emirates
“I have faith in the team and I’ve always had strong men at my side throughout the season. I have enjoyed riding here and my teammates always work impressively and I could not ask for more of them.
"I now have five wins with the team and we’re looking forward to many more. Hopefully my win on Sunday can inspire us to produce more fantastic results for the UAE fans, who are surely celebrating this victory in the Year of Zayed.”
On winning the final stage in Paris
“I felt good across most of the Tour, sticking to my game plan and not pushing myself too hard in the mountains. That allowed me to conserve some energy for the stages I wanted to perform well in.
"But to pick up a victory on the final stage – one that is so important to the sprinters – the feeling is amazing. I’ve dreamt about this victory for many years. It has started to sink in and I’m going to enjoy the moment, and I hope everyone in the UAE who has supported us over the past two seasons can enjoy it, too.”
On the tactics that led to the success
“I was a bit far back after the roundabout, but I had Roberto Ferrari leading me in and tried to get a good position. I saw Trek-Segafredo had created a really strong lead out so I decided to move onto their wheel.
"I knew I would have to push hard but my legs felt good, I passed John Degenkolb and then all of a sudden in the last 20 metres I realised I had it. Thankfully nobody managed to catch me.
"It was great to add another stage victory, and adds to my stage wins in Oman and Abu Dhabi earlier this season.”
Looking back on the 2018 Tour
“I’m very happy. I was unfortunate to not pick up a stage win earlier in the Tour, losing out to [Peter] Sagan on the line, but I’m satisfied with my performance – coming second in the points classification and picking up a stage win.”
How UAE Team Emirates performed overall
“I think the team and our fans across the world should be very pleased with the team’s performance. Every one gave it their all and we hope that it can be a platform to inspire our fans, particularly those in the UAE, to head out on their bicycles.
Dan had a good Tour and was unfortunate to not finish higher in the General Classification (GC), but the competition this year was such a high level. However, he showed on a handful of stages why he is one of the best GC riders in the world and he deservedly picked up the Combativity Award – which I congratulate him on.”
On the spirit within the riders in the team
“The team spirit has been very good and you find that camaraderie builds when the performances are good – so we are leaving the Tour all very happy with one another and the role each person played in helping us achieve the best results.”
On the work that goes in to preparing for the Tour
“Preparation is so important, and as professional riders we are reliant on our teammates and the wider staff to help us get to the start line in the best possible condition – physically and mentally.
"We have so many people behind the scenes working to make us the best we can possibly be – without them, none of this would have been possible.”
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
The biog
Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S24%20ULTRA
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NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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The%20National%20selections
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Barakka%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Dhahabi%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Mouheeb%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20With%20The%20Moonlight%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Remorse%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Ottoman%20Fleet%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Tranquil%20Night%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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