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Tadej Pogacar makes history after winning Tour de France

Jon Turner

September 21, 2020

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UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar gave himself an early birthday present after his historic victory at the Tour de France yesterday.

The Slovenian, who turned 22 today, is the youngest winner of the world's most prestigious road race since Henri Cornet in 1904. Protected by his UAE teammates, Pogacar safely crossed the finish line in the peloton at the end of the largely ceremonial 122km final stage from Mantes-Le-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées.

Irishman Sam Bennett of Deceuninck–Quick-Step won the stage in a sprint finish ahead of Trek–Segafredo's Danish sprinter Mads Pedersen, Slovakian Peter Sagan of Bora–Hansgrohe, and Pogacar's Norwegian teammate Alexander Kristoff.

But the day belonged to Pogacar, who is also the first cyclist from Slovenia to win the Tour de France.

Up until Saturday's penultimate stage, it looked as though Pogacar's compatriot Primoz Rolgic would take that honour. Holding a 57-second lead ahead of the mountain time trial, the Team Jumbo-Visma star imploded during his run as Pogacar produced a scintillating performance to win the stage and overhaul his rival.

The UAE Team Emirates rider sealed his victory yesterday while retaining his 59-second lead on Roglic. Australia's Richie Porte from Trek–Segafredo completed the General Classification podium, finishing the 21-stage Grand Tour three minutes and 30-seconds behind the champion.

Pogacar has now finished on the podium in two of cycling's three Grand Tours having claimed third in the 2019 Vuelta a Espana.

This year's Tour de France, the 107th edition of the race, was moved from its original start date of June 27 to August 29 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group C

Liverpool v Napoli, midnight

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here
Poacher
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RESULTS

6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

Tips for entertaining with ease

·         Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.

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Cycling