Ahead of the start of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour, Jon Turner picks out six cyclists to watch out for. To move on to the next rider, click the red arrows in the bottom right corner of the image, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data)
As the Abu Dhabi Tour ambassador and a bonafide cycling superstar, much will be expected of Cavendish. Second in the all-time list of Tour de France stage winners with 30, a four-time track cycling world champion and a points classification winner in each of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana, Cavendish is one of the true greats of sprint cycling. Having missed the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour with a shoulder injury, Cavendish clinched the Points Classification last year after winning two of the four stages. He admitted to being short of top fitness at the Dubai Tour earlier this month and has since remained in the UAE to prepare for Abu Dhabi. Will be among the leading contenders to win the Green Jersey.
Alberto Contador (Trek — Segafredo)
A late addition to the Abu Dhabi Tour, Contador is undoubtedly one of cycling’s all-time greats. A two-time winner of the Tour de France (2007 and 2009) and Giro d’Italia (2008 and 2015), and three-time winner of Vuelta a Espana (2008, 2012 and 2014), Contador is one of only six riders to have won all three Grand Tours. The Spaniard, 34, has previous in the UAE capital having competed at the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour, finishing fifth overall. Having initially planned to retire at the end of the 2016 season, Contador delayed his decision for another year, leaving Tinkoff to sign with Trek-Segafredo. As an all-rounder, he will expect to be competing near the front for the Red Jersey.
Elia Viviani (Team Sky)
Sure to be one of Cavendish’s main rivals for the Green Jersey, Viviani is one of the most talented sprinters of this generation, claiming a total of 40 stage wins in his career since turning professional in 2010. The Italian, 28, has enjoyed success in Abu Dhabi before having won the inaugural Green Jersey after claiming two stages in 2015. He was not able to replicate that achievement in 2016, losing out to Cavendish in tight sprint finishes in the second and fourth stages, but he finished ahead of his British rival earlier this month by finishing fifth at the Dubai Tour. An accomplished track cyclist as well as on the road, Viviani won omnium gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors)
Arguably the man to beat among the sprinters, Kittel enters the Abu Dhabi Tour in fine form after retaining his Dubai Tour title with victory in three of the four stages (one stage was cancelled due to bad weather). The German, 28, is a winner of 13 Grand Tour stages, including nine at the Tour de France. He made headlines during the Dubai Tour after getting punched in the face by Astana Pro Team's Andriy Grivko. Will be hoping for a scandal-free race on his debut in the capital.
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida)
Like Contador, Nibali is one of cycling’s greatest ever all-rounders. The Italian joins his Spanish rival in the exclusive club of riders to have won all three Grand Tours — the Vuelta a Espana in 2010, the Giro d’Italia in both 2013 and 2016 and the Tour de France in 2014. Nibali, 32, competed in both previous editions of the Abu Dhabi Tour, finishing ninth in its inaugural year before a fourth-place finish in 2016. After four seasons with Astana Pro Team, Nibali signed with the newly-formed Bahrain-Merida for 2017, and he will want to impress his new team with victory in the Middle East’s premier cycling tour.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team)
Quintana has so far fallen just short of completing the Grand Tour set like Nibali and Contador. A winner of the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and Vuelta a Espana in 2016, the Colombian, 27, is a two-time runner-up of the Tour de France (2013 and 2015). A specialist climber and good time trialist makes Quintana a contender for General Classification at most stage races. Expect Quintana to contend on the Abu Dhabi Tour’s third climbing stage. Having outlined his plans to attempt the Vuelta a Espana and Tour de France double this season, a good showing in Abu Dhabi will be the ideal preparation.
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 qualifying, 10:15am
Formula 2, practice 11:30am
Formula 1, first practice, 1pm
GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm
Formula 1 second practice, 5pm
Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The biog
Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages
Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”
Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
