Tag Archives: horse-racing
Phenomenal Phinney clinches Dubai Tour victory
Phenomenal Phinney clinches Dubai Tour victory Alex Leach / 9 February 2014 Kittel claims final stage as American cyclist Taylor clinches Dubai Tour. Taylor Phinney of the BMC Racing Team poses with the trophy after claiming the overall honours at the end of the four-day inaugural Dubai Tour on Saturday. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar Taylor Phinney came away with the blue and white jerseys of the inaugural Dubai Tour on Saturday here having prevailed outright in the general and young riders’ classifications respectively. The American won Thursday’s time trial, which effectively meant he would be assured of both of his eventual prizes if he finished the subsequent three races among the first peloton to cross the finish line. That is exactly what he did too to deny the likes of Lasse Norman Hansen (Denmark/Garmin Sharp), his team-mate Steven Cummings (Great Britain/BMC Racing) and Tony Martin (Germany/Omega Pharma – Quick-Step) in the main competition. Marcel Kittel (Germany/Giant-Shimano) claimed the red jersey in the points’ classification after his three stage successes, whereas Willem Jakobus Smit (South Africa/Vini Fantini-Nippo-De Rosa) took home the honours in the intermediate sprints. “I’m super honoured,” Phinney said. “I definitely owe this victory to the team, the MC and Andy Rihs for believing in me and this is a great start of the season for us at BMC (Racing). “I couldn’t be happier than to come here, win the first (time trial) stage and then have such great teamwork in stages two, three and four to cap off a great couple of days. I’m very happy to be the first winner. It’s a cool feeling.” Phinney’s triumph this early in the season also sets him and the rest of BMC Racing team up nicely for the rest of the year – one which could prove quite fruitful on this evidence. “I’ve come into the season for the last three years and always had some sort of issue – a knee injury or an illness – that didn’t allow me to be at my best,” he added. “This is the first year that I’m coming in and I’m really not playing catch-up at all, so it’s great to see that I can come in early season and win some races before the races that are really big. “It has been a stressful last couple of days, but it’s been a really good preparation for me going forward. “I couldn’t be happier to have won this race here. It’s definitely something that I thought I could do back when they released the profiles and the stages, so to come here and actually do it is a great feeling. I’m definitely relieved at the moment too. “Until now, I don’t think this team has entirely delivered the results we’re capable of, so this is a great start to the year and hopefully it can be the year that we really are able to thank Andy (Rihs) to the fullest.” alex@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Roads along Dubai Tour to be closed till February 8
Roads along Dubai Tour to be closed till February 8 Lily B. Libo-on / 6 February 2014 RTA is coordinating closely with the Dubai Police General Headquarters and Dubai Sports Council to ensure the best traffic movement and traffic safety for road users during the four-day race. Some of Dubai’s road entrances and exits will be closed for three hours every afternoon, and traffic controls will continue as part of the Dubai Tour until February 8, when the race ends at 3.30pm. The heavy traffic on both sides of Shaikh Zayed Road. Internal lanes leading up to First Interchange and The Dubai Mall bridge are clogged. — KT photo by Muaz Shabandri RTA is coordinating closely with the Dubai Police General Headquarters and Dubai Sports Council to ensure the best traffic movement and traffic safety for road users during the four-day race. “All road users are advised to exercise care and caution. RTA will close only some road entrances/exits and a part of some roads where participants will pass along in order to ensure the safety of the race track and the smooth flow of traffic, as well,” RTA said. 30 schools to remain closed today Muaz Shabandri Thirty private schools in Dubai will remain closed today as the city witnesses its first ever professional cycling race. Parents have been advised to check with schools to know about school closures or change in timings. Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) issued a communication to schools, allowing them to remain closed if needed. The 121km race on Thursday will force the closure of schools close to Oud Mehta Road, Meydan Road, Dubai-Al Ain road, Emirates Road, Al Sufouh road and Hessa Street. Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Engagement, KHDA said: “As a result of road closures, 31 schools have decided to close for the day. The decisions were made in consultation with parents, to protect the safety of children.” Guruswany Kalloor, CEO of JSS Schools Dubai said: “We already have fewer working days because of public holidays. Unplanned closures affect teaching schedules but we still took the decision to close for a day keeping in view the safety of our students and their convenience.” muaz@khaleejtimes.com List of Schools American School of Dubai Al Eman Private School Al Ittihad School – Al Mamzar Al Salaam Private School Al Thuraya Private School Arab Unity School Brandenton Preparatory Academy Choueifat School – Al Sofouh – from KG1- Grade 4 Dar Al Marefa Delhi Private School, Dubai Dubai Arab American School Dubai British School Dubai Gem Private School Dubai International School Dubai International Academy International Academic School Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou Lyceé Libanais Francophone Privé JSS International School Queen International School North American International School Pakistani Education Academy Regent School Russian International School Sabari Indian School Springdales School Dubai Star International School – Al Twar The Indian High School – Oud Metha The Indian International School – DSO Victoria’s Heights Primary School At the start of the race on Wednesday (Stage 1), RTA’s proposed traffic procedures were in place from Dubai World Trade Centre where the race started, right to Al Saada Street, along the Financial Centre Street and Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard before returning to the starting point at the Dubai World Trade Centre via Al Saada Street and the Financial Centre Street. Today, (Stage 2) the roads used by participants will close from 12.25pm to 3.30pm. The race starts from the Dubai World Trade Centre left to Al Saada Street then right along Za’abeel 2nd Street, Dubai-Al Ain Road passing along Oud Metha Street to Meydan Street, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Nad Al Sheba Street, Emirates Road, Al Qudra Road, Umm Suqeim Street, Hisa Street and along some internal streets in Motor City, Al Safouh Street towards JBR, then to JLT until the finish line at Jumeirah Palm after passing along the internal roads of Dubai Media City. On Friday (Stage 3), the roads will close from 11.30am to 3.30pm. The race starts from the Festival City, passes through Marrakeck Street to the Airport, Al Khawaneej Street across Al Khawaneej Bridge, Al Amardi and Al Awir Street, Emirates Road, Lehbab Road, Hatta Road, the finish line in Hatta through Sharjah Emirates (Al Madam and Melaiha) and Ras Al Khaimah Emirate (Shoka and Manna’ee). For Stage 4 (Saturday), the roads will close from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The race starts from Al Saada Street and passes to Za’aabel 2nd Street, Shaikh Zayed Road along the Trade Centre Roundabout and then turn right to Umm Suqeim Street, 2nd of December Street, Jumeirah Street, Umm Harir Street, Al Karama Tunnel, Bani Yas Street, through Al Maktoum Bridge, Corniche Street and back to Bani Yas Street, Tariq bin Ziyad Street, through Al Maktoum Bridge, Khalid bin Al Waleed Street, and then turn right to Al Seef Street, Al Fuhaidi Street, Ali Ibn Abi Talib Street, Al Falah Street through Al Ghubaiba Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Al Mina Street, Jumeirah Street Al Uruba Street, Al Wasl Street, Al Safa Street and then to the finish line at the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Street across the Financial Centre Street. lily@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
American cyclist Phinney makes history in Dubai
American cyclist Phinney makes history in Dubai Adur Pradeep / 6 February 2014 World champion Tony Martin finishes fourth behind Olympic winner Lasse Norman Hansen BMC Racing Team’s Taylor Phinney of US on his way to victory in Dubai on Wednesday. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar It was a historic moment for Dubai and Taylor Phinney on Wednesday. The American rode into cycling’s history books by winning the first stage on the inaugural Dubai Tour. Phinney’s stunning time trial helped him being the first ever recipient of the Dubai Tour’s blue jersey. Phinney, a former under-23 world time trial champion, averaged 50.29km/h in the 9.9km time trial to set a winning time of 12’03”, and guided his team BMC Racing one-two with team-mate Britain’s Steve Cummings finishing second. An excited Phinney (@taylorphinney) tweeted: “Hey that feels good! Huge honor to win the first stage here at @TourOfDubai. Thank you BMC for believing in me, and also for the fast bike!!” The first stage, named ‘The Down Town stage’ – the individual time trial – was held within the new city. World champion Tony Martin, who is competing in his first race after surgery in the winter, finished fourth, behind Garmin-Sharp’s Lasse Norman Hansen, winner of the 2012 Olympic omnium gold. Cummings also set an impressive time of 12’17, giving BMC a dream start. World number one Joaquim Rodriguez of Katusha, completed the course in 13’40”. “I thought I was going to beat my record of watts, I reached 490. I knew I was already in good condition as I’d worked well over the winter,” said. “If there’s an event that’s best for me, it’s anything around 12 minutes and below. I haven’t had many opportunities to ride short time trials since I’ve been pro — they seem to be phasing out short time trials and Prologues — so I was really happy when this course came out. It means a lot to win today,” Phinney said. “I’ve been thinking about this race since they came out with the race route weeks ago. I knew there would be some big names here. Specifically, Tony Martin is good in any time trial. especially on a road bike, so I’m overjoyed and relieved that I have won,” the 23-year-old said. While elaborating his strategy for the opening race, he said: “I decided to go early because of the weather report. It looked like the wind was going to build up. I hope it was the same conditions for everyone, but I don’t know. You want everyone to go at the same time, but it’s not easy when there are 125 of you.” Phinney, who claimed second place in an Argentine season warm-up last month, was quite happy with the start he got in Dubai. “After a disappointing 2013, I’ve had a good off-season. I’m fresh mentally and physically but I’ve also been training a lot. The team has a different approach this year: all the riders have individual goals, and I’m a goal-setting-type person, so I like that. Today was a big goal for me. I’m happy with the way my Dubai Tour has started.” But he is also quite aware about the challenges ahead. “The win is a big confidence booster for me. I thought I knew what I was capable of on a course like this, but I exceeded my expectations today. I haven’t won the Dubai Tour yet. There are a lot of variables in this race: wind, climbs on St 3, more wind on St 4. All I can do is take it day by day. There’s some strong competition here, but BMC has a good team, we have also Steve Cummings who is strong and in a good position, so I’m excited. It’s a short race but it’s going to be intense. A lot of things can happen over the next couple of days, we just have to stay calm, we have a good chance.” Mark Cavendish is among the riders taking part in the four-day race, which continues on Thursday with a 122km ride from Dubai to Palm Jumeirah. The second stage will cover a total of 122km, finishing at Palm Jumeirah on Thursday. The second stage, named ‘The Sport Stage’ runs through the area with the most important sports building in Dubai, including Hippodrome, the Olympic pool, the Al Qudra cycling path, the Autodrome and the amazing Golf Club. The third stage, the longest of the race at 162km, will go outside the city and through the desert to finish in Hatta. This stage will be called ‘The Nature Stage’. The fourth and final stage – 124km in length – will cross the old part of the city, passing alongside two of the most iconic Dubai buildings: the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa. This stage is known as ‘The Old Dubai Stage’. – pradeep@khaleejtimes.com Dubai Tour: On the right track The Dubai Tour first-stage got off to an overwhelming start on Wednesday afternoon. Khaleej Times photographers Juidin Bernarrd and Rahul Gajjar, along with agencies, capture some of the spectacular moments Italian cyclist Eugenio Alafaci, of Trek Factory Racing Team, rides past the Burj Al Khalifa. AFP Peter Velits, of BMC Racing Team negotiates a bend. AFP Evan Huffman, of Team Astana, during the 10 km Dubai Tour at Downtown Dubai. – KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd Fans cheers as Martin Tony of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step nears the finish point at the DWTC.- KT photo by Rahul Gajjar Kittel Marcel of Giant-Shimano in action. KT photo by Rahul Gajjar A fan with Dinosaurs mask watches a cyclist go past. Ramunas Navardauskas of Team Garmin Sharp pedals on. – KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd Mark Cavendish, former World Champion, in action at Downtown Dubai. KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
