UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar is hoping to raise the bar following his sensational victory in the 2020 Tour de France when he returns for the first race of the season – the UAE Tour – starting from Sunday.
The only WorldTour race in the Middle East, the third edition of the UAE Tour will have seven stages.
It has once again attracted a top-class field that includes defending champion Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers), Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick-Step), and Pogacar, all coming out for the first time this season.
With memories of his sensational Tour de France victory still fresh, Pogacar will be the star attraction as he races for the host nation.
Expectations from the Slovenian, who was runner up behind Yates in the race 12 months ago, are naturally high.
Pogacar achieved superstar status in the UAE after his image was projected onto Burj Khalifa following his victory in the Tour de France.
“I’m the same rider with the same motivation, same focus and same goals,” the Slovenian said of the publicity he received.
“This race for our team is really important. It’s a home race. We were a little bit disappointed last year and we have another chance this year. The preparation was really good for this race and we will try to win.”
Chris Froome is returning to the race following his rehabilitation from the crash he suffered at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2019.
“It is a pleasure to start the season out here,” the five-time Tour de France winner said.
“Great to be here in my new colours of Israel Start-Up Nation. I’m looking forward to racing.
"I had a good winter training in California. Hopefully addressed a lot of weaknesses I was dealing with last year after the crash I had. This will be the start of a fresh campaign towards the Tour de France this year.
“The rehab process definitely is more complete at this time than last year. This is the first race for me to just getting into racing and start that progression to the Tour de France."
Yates returns with a new team and rides for the first time as a defending champion in a world race.
“It is always going to be tricky when you are in the same team for so long but I’m ready and have prepared well for this race,” he said.
“There is not pressure at all racing for a new team and as the defending champion. The preparation has been perfect and amazing form. I feel good.”
The UAE Tour’s opening stage is a flat run from Abu Dhabi along the coast to Al Mirfa, expected to end in a bunch sprint finish.
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National in Davos
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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.
