In a year when Olympic glory is dominating her thoughts, Silvia Persico's immediate priority is to maintain what has been a flying start to the 2024 season for UAE Team ADQ at their home race.
Having finished third in the general classification of 2023's inaugural UAE Tour Women, the Italian is now looking to move up the podium this time round.
It is a huge season ahead for the 26-year-old, one that will hopefully see her racing as part of a successful Italian team in the Paris Olympics road race.
Persico's performances has established her as one of cycling's most exciting riders over the past couple of years, starting with 2022's first Tour de France Femmes where she finished seven of the eight stages inside the top 10, ending up in fifth place overall.
An eighth-place finish at the 2023 Giro d’Italia followed, and she now has high hopes of representing her country at this year's Olympics. But before that, Persico's focus is firmly on the four-day race that started in Dubai on Thursday.
“If I will go, yes, of course it will be my first Olympics and I'm super excited because I think that just to be there will be really amazing,” Persico told The National.
“In case I will be there, I will try my best and try to maybe win a medal and I think that will change your life. So, we will see, and representing Italy in the Olympics is a lifetime achievement. We are really united as a team. We race all the year in different teams but when we put on the same jersey, we are really united.
“With the Olympics in mind, I did one winter easy and one without cyclocross, which was my passion.
“However, I prefer to be relaxed and of course think about the Olympics when it gets closer. For now, I want just to think about the days ahead that are important for me and for my team.
“The Olympics is in July-August and I can put those thoughts behind me for the moment as my focus now is on the UAE Tour. This is my first priority because this is a home race for us and it’s important to achieve a good result.”
UAE Team ADQ has made an impressive start to 2024 with three victories and have shown steady progress since their first participation in the World Tour last year. Eleonora Gasparrini was first up, winning the Challenge Ciclista Mallorca Femenina; Sofia Bertizzolo claimed victory in the Geelong Classic in Australia while Dominika Wlodarczyk finished second in the Deakin University Elite Women's Road Race and also took the UCI Women's World Tour leader's jersey.
Now Persico is looking to maintain the team's flying start at the UAE Tour Women. She looks back fondly on her third-place finish in last year's race when riders had to negotiate strong crosswinds, but the forecast this weekend is for heavy rain which will make conditions even more problematic.
“I'm super happy to be here for the second time,” said Persico of her return to the UAE. “Last year, I finished on the podium and, of course, I have good memories of that as it was very special because it's the home race for us.
“It's my goal to get a better result in this UAE Tour because the level of the other girls in the team is really high. It was really hard last year but I was looking at the forecast and of course, also this year it will be maybe worse."
The race route consists of three flat stages and the Jebel Hafeet mountain climb.
Persico finished third on the summit finish last year which was won by the eventual GC winner Elisa Longo Borghini, with her teammate Gaia Realin in second.
“Jebel Hafeet is hard but it's not the hardest,” Persico said of the steep mountain stage that usually tilts the balance of the GC.
“I'm happy to climb, and OK, I'm not a pro climber, but I have really good power in the climb, so we will see. Of course, I really like it and with Erica [Magnaldi – her UAE teammate], we will also go for the win on this stage, or do really good work for the general classification.”
The UAE Team ADQ have gone through numerous changes with only Persico and Chiara Consonni remaining from last year’s line-up in the UAE Tour.
Joining them for the first time in the home race are Magnaldi, Alena Amialiusik, Karlijn Swinkels, and Tereza Neumanova, with the team having assembled on February 4 in Al Ain for training.
“Last year was the first year together and I think this year we are stronger and more united as a team,” Persico added.
“We did a really good training camp in December and one in January and we really started the season in a good way with two victories already. So, I think it's really important for the team to come here and be ready to compete with the right mentality.
“We got just two of us from last year, me and Chiara, and the others are new, but like I said before, we really worked together for almost one month, so we know each other.
“It's a really good group this year with the other girls. I feel super good and we really work together. I think that it is important because it's important to be united.”
“We did the mountain climb [Jebel Hafeet] a couple of times and stayed together which I think was important. The weather here was a bit different than in Italy. It’s like almost 20 degrees warmer.”
Away from cycling, Persico spends her spare time running, reading, listening to music and doing photography, as well as spending time with her family.
“I try to do something different than biking, because I think that it's important for my mind,” she said. “We spend a lot of time far from the family so when I'm at home I really like to enjoy being with them and staying together.”
But her family's links with the sport are strong, so talk will inevitably lead back to cycling. “My younger brother Davide is a pro cyclist. He’s in his first year as a pro,” she explained.
“So, he has just finished second in the Tour Colombia first stage. I am really happy for him. We really support each other. We are always far but little messages every now and then keep us together.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Company%20profile
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Read more about the coronavirus
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on animal trafficking
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
The years Ramadan fell in May
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Zayed Sustainability Prize
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The%20specs
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
Company%20profile
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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
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
