For the last few years, the UAE Tour has been the springboard for my season. Whether it be in victory or defeat, this event has always found a way of pushing me to the limit and squeezing every last ounce of performance out of myself and the bike.
In years gone by, I’ve had the unenviable task of having to take on Tadej Pogacar on the flats and in the UAE mountains, falling just short on a couple of occasions. I’m very happy and relieved to now be on the same team as Tadej.
I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to be leading our group into the 2023 UAE Tour. I once admired this team from a distance as a competitor, but to now be a part of the squad and see the quality of riders and support staff first-hand, I’m super stoked to get the wheels rolling on Monday, February 20, for Stage 1.
These past few weeks, I’ve been training at altitude in Spain and it’s been going really well. The sensations are good, I’m feeling fit and healthy, so I can’t wait to get started with the guys.
Of course, this year it’ll will be a different challenge not having to compete with Tadej on Jebel Jais and especially on Jebel Hafeet, but I know there will be plenty of other rivals who will arrive in good form and ready to do battle.
The vast number of high-quality cyclists and teams on the World Tour at the moment means we constantly have to perform to our absolute maximum to secure podiums and race wins. But as professionals, this is what we live for.
Being offered the chance to be a part of UAE Team Emirates was simply an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Right from the start when talking to the management team, I had a really good feeling that this was the right move at this stage of my career. We had a great trip here to the UAE in October which was a perfect way to meet everybody and also to spend some time in the UAE.
Growing up, I knew I always wanted to be a professional cyclist, so to turn pro and then go on to have a successful career is all I ever dreamt of. Looking back, I’m really happy and proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but I still think I have a lot to offer. I’ve been pretty consistent year on year and see this as an opportunity to take myself to that next level and continue to challenge for podiums across Europe and around the world.
Our UAE Team Emirates group is arguably the most talented I’ve ever been involved in. It is littered with several younger riders with incredible futures in the sport. As an experienced Grand Tour rider, I hope that I’ll be able to pass on pieces of information from my experiences that will help our guys evolve into complete cyclists and realise their profound potential.
Back when I was starting out at Orica Greenedge, we had a lot of older riders who showed you the ropes. It was far more old school and you relied on their willingness to share their experiences through word of mouth. Now you take it for granted as we have a lot more information available to us then we did a decade ago, but I’ll still be looking to help our guys wherever I can.
Having said that, I’m only 30 and still feel young.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, I have a couple of clear targets in mind. Of course, the UAE Tour is my primary focus right now and is an event I really enjoy and have enormous respect for. Following our stint in the UAE, the next big goal will be the Tour De France with Tadej.
Having been through the heartbreak last year of leading the event but not securing the victory, we will be on the charge to secure that victory for Tadej and the team. I will also be testing myself in some one-week races throughout the season.
Lastly, and most importantly, I want the UAE fans to know that we are all incredibly excited to be here. We’d love your support out on the roads and we’ll do our best to put on a show for you all.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)
