DUBAI // The UAE resident Helle Bachofen von Echt has qualified for cycling's UCI World Championships for Amateurs to be held in Slovenia in August.
Bachofen von Echt is the first UAE resident to compete in a UCI World Cycling Tour event, the Copenhagen Gran Fondo, which is one of a series of 150-kilometre qualifying races for the World Championships.
The Dane, 35, began cycling seriously only eight months ago. The Copenhagen event was her first international competition, and she placed second in her age group.
She rides with Revolution Cycles and is a member of the female cycling team Revolution Love Catz, and does most of her riding with Cycle Safe Dubai.
"Copenhagen GF was my first international race," she said. "Prior to this I have taken part only in local challenges in the UAE like Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, Liwa and Criterium.
"With 1,000 participants at Copenhagen and riders from 20 countries, I had no idea what to expect either from the race organisation, the course or the level of the other riders.
"I just had to throw myself in, use the strengths and experience gained from riding with groups in Dubai and stay focused and calm while riding to my maximum ability.
"As Copenhagen GF was held in my home country I loved every part of it. The people, weather, scenery and, most importantly, I had my family with me as road-side supporters."
"I am absolutely ecstatic and so proud to have qualified."
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
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Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
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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.
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- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
