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.
Maestro
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Palestine and Israel - live updates
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
More from Aya Iskandarani
More on Quran memorisation:
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
FA Cup fifth round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal
