UAE Team Emirates president Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni is confident the squad can build on an impressive Tour de France with more success in the future.
The team recorded two stage victories, including the final leg on the Champs-Elysee on Sunday as Alexander Kristoff prevailed in a sprint to the line, providing them with a winning climax to the 21-stage event.
“Our goal from the time we founded the team last year was to achieve success at the highest level,” said Al Yabhouni.
“However, to win two stages in the Tour de France was a remarkable achievement, particularly to be successful in the final stage when the attention of the entire cycling world was on the finish at the Champs-Elysee.
“It was the perfect finish for us. We couldn’t have really wished for anything better.”
The success had begun in the opening week of the race when Irishman Dan Martin won Stage 6 to give the team their first ever win in the race's history.
Martin went on to finish eighth in the general classification, and he also picked up the award for the most combative rider of the Tour, after several attacking performances across key mountain stages.
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It’s the first award for the Irishman since joining the Emirati formation at the start of the 2018 UCI World Tour season.
“I race the way I race and I still think a podium is possible I just need to piece that perfect performance together,” said Martin.
“It isn’t all about bad luck, it’s about being in the right place at the right time and I think you make your own good luck a lot of the time.
“You learn every year you ride the Tour and I’ll take those lessons to next year because I want to end up standing on that podium on merit.”
Looking back at his efforts over the three weeks, Martin added: "It’s all just starting to sink in now. It’s always special finishing the Tour, but even more so today. I have really enjoying this year’s race and I’m a bit gutted it’s over. So now I am just looking forward to next year even more.”
Al Yabhouni said the two stage victories and Martin picking up the award and finishing in the top 10 in the final standings of the race won by Team Sky's Geraint Thomas was a proud achievement.
“The competition out there is really tough but we want to be right up there with the best,” he said.
“I have to mention we couldn’t have achieved what we have achieved within a very short period of time without the support of the rulers of our country. We dedicate this success to them and the people.
“We have an excellent team and want to thank each and everyone of them for the success we achieved in the Tour de France while looking forward to their continued support to achieve more this season.”
The UAE Team Emirates performance also came for some high praise from Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, chairman of the General Authority for Sports.
“It is indeed a remarkable achievement for a team that was established only last year,” said Al Rumaithi.
“The success of the team is the success for the people of UAE. We are really proud of their achievement to see the UAE flag flying high in a world event.”
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
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In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
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Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
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