JAUSIERS // Frank Schleck believes that he can repeat his 2006 Tour de France heroics and win the arduous climb up Alpe d'Huez today.
The Luxembourg rider won the coveted stage on his Tour debut two years ago after breaking clear of co-leader Damiano Cunego with two kilometres remaining.
And Schleck, 28, who is leading this year's Tour, said a repeat of that famous win was very much on his mind.
He said: "That's the one I've wanted to win above all else. I think I could have a terrible race every day of the Tour and just win that and I'd still be happy.
"I'm a climber and, as a climber, you want to win Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux, and for me Alpe d'Huez is the best. It's like the Holy Grail."
Schleck first encountered Alpe d'Huez as a nine-year-old spectator when he was taken there by his mother to watch Gert-Jan Theunisse win the stage there during the 1989 Tour.
And Schleck recalls of the experience: "It was amazing. I tried to ride a little of it which was amazing with the idea that riders like Theunisse and Miguel Indurain would soon be going up there.
"So I decided then I'd like to win Alpe d'Huez but it took me more than 15 years to do it. Honestly, it was well worth the wait."
Today's stage - with three hors (without) category climbs and at 210.5 kilometres long - is the toughest day in the saddle for the riders in this year's race. And however well Schleck does, he admitted that the racing will be torture today.
He said: "I sometimes wonder why we do it as it can be so painful. Maybe it's a bit of madness, but it's the idea of overcoming something so harsh that drives me. I have had a passion for horrible climbs and I seem to do well on them so, hopefully, it will be the same."
Schleck's chief rival Cadel Evans admitted, however, he was less enamoured by the challenges of Alpe d'Huez.
He said: "I've never had a good day here, that's my problem. I think this will be the third time I've raced on Alpe d'Huez so maybe it'll be third time lucky. Here's hoping."
Whatever the outcome, it will have a massive bearing on who wins the 2008 Tour de France.
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Pathaan
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
