J Wakefield Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 As much as I don't see the point of the Arab Gulf states sponsoring cycling teams, at the end of the day it's a business and we must be happy to have sponsors supporting the sport. The pro races there (and doha worlds) is boring as faaark, and there is basically no cycling culture to speak of.. Bud, all respect have you been there and actually looked at this no cycling culture? Its HUUUUGE there. I was honestly totally impressed and blown away by it in October when I was there.
Shebeen Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Bud, all respect have you been there and actually looked at this no cycling culture? Its HUUUUGE there. I was honestly totally impressed and blown away by it in October when I was there.fair enough, my experience is a bit dated and was only really going on the fact that the pro races are boring with zero fans (and global warming has probably not done much for comfort levels) I had some projects running in saudi 10-12 years ago, so spent (way too much) time in RiyadhI've been to dubai, abu dhabi, doha at the time. There sure as hell wasn't much in the way of bikeriding then, so if it's there now then they've done well, (but I'm guessing it's mainly expats involved) ***oh, and also am a bit tainted by the fact that I think the Qatar football world cup is the biggest load of crap, and then blindly lump all gulf states into the same bin.
DieselnDust Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Just the number of bike shops in Dubai alone, makes it obvious there's a big market there.Trek have a store on the cycle path. You can rent bikes and gear but have to book days in advance because the 100 bikes they have there are always booked out
Gnarly Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 fair enough, my experience is a bit dated and was only really going on the fact that the pro races are boring with zero fans (and global warming has probably not done much for comfort levels) I had some projects running in saudi 10-12 years ago, so spent (way too much) time in RiyadhI've been to dubai, abu dhabi, doha at the time. There sure as hell wasn't much in the way of bikeriding then, so if it's there now then they've done well, (but I'm guessing it's mainly expats involved) ***oh, and also am a bit tainted by the fact that I think the Qatar football world cup is the biggest load of crap, and then blindly lump all gulf states into the same bin. Thats only because the expat community is bigger than the local, there are a lot of locals that ride. And some of them are rather rapid, and lets just say the sprints get VERY interesting with the bike handling "skills". The bike bling here is on another level, lightweight wheels are training wheels.
Jase619 Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 fair enough, my experience is a bit dated and was only really going on the fact that the pro races are boring with zero fans (and global warming has probably not done much for comfort levels) I had some projects running in saudi 10-12 years ago, so spent (way too much) time in RiyadhI've been to dubai, abu dhabi, doha at the time. There sure as hell wasn't much in the way of bikeriding then, so if it's there now then they've done well, (but I'm guessing it's mainly expats involved) ***oh, and also am a bit tainted by the fact that I think the Qatar football world cup is the biggest load of crap, and then blindly lump all gulf states into the same bin. Based on your previous observation that got shot down, maybe you shouldn't make anymore assumptions today. . .
Shebeen Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Based on your previous observation that got shot down, maybe you shouldn't make anymore assumptions today. . . okily dokily, probably not the right thread but here goes anyway. There's bahrain merida and team UAE currently on the world tour.https://www.uci.org/road/rankingshttps://www.procyclingstats.com/rankings.php?id=&id=32065&continent=AS&filter=Filter UAE got one guy with UCI points, he's 290th in the world, all down to a single race(fair enough he did win the asian continentals last year). he's the only local on the UAE teamhttps://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/yousef-mohamed-mirza Bahrain, Qatar (who shelled out big cash to hold the World champs there, as well as 15 years of the Tour of Doha), Tour of Oman - UCI 2.HC, none of these countries have a single UCI point. My actual point is that it is great that these teams exist, the funding and support is there, but it is not built on any great foundations. The sponsors/sheikh could get bored with cycling next month and then it's pigeon racing, drone flying or tiddlywinks that gets a huge budget. It's not really sustainable (am more than happy to be wrong on this one). (I could compare it to Astana, another state sponsored project, but they have some actual homegrown riders, and Vino!!).
Hairy Posted January 9, 2019 Posted January 9, 2019 really dig her attitude!Makes me wanna trainCool few mins
Meezo Posted January 9, 2019 Posted January 9, 2019 Ratboy with Cannondale https://www.instagram.com/p/BsYEnfUni8q/
capediver Posted January 10, 2019 Posted January 10, 2019 okily dokily, probably not the right thread but here goes anyway. There's bahrain merida and team UAE currently on the world tour.https://www.uci.org/road/rankingshttps://www.procyclingstats.com/rankings.php?id=&id=32065&continent=AS&filter=Filter UAE got one guy with UCI points, he's 290th in the world, all down to a single race(fair enough he did win the asian continentals last year). he's the only local on the UAE teamhttps://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/yousef-mohamed-mirza Bahrain, Qatar (who shelled out big cash to hold the World champs there, as well as 15 years of the Tour of Doha), Tour of Oman - UCI 2.HC, none of these countries have a single UCI point. My actual point is that it is great that these teams exist, the funding and support is there, but it is not built on any great foundations. The sponsors/sheikh could get bored with cycling next month and then it's pigeon racing, drone flying or tiddlywinks that gets a huge budget. It's not really sustainable (am more than happy to be wrong on this one). (I could compare it to Astana, another state sponsored project, but they have some actual homegrown riders, and Vino!!).Hardly get bored with cycling in Middle East.....
Andymann Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 That new habit looks amazing!!!Said no Nun ever
Shebeen Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 Hardly get bored with cycling in Middle East..... ok shot, so you actually live there? surely nightriding sounds like the answer for actually riding more than 3 months of the year? "Showka MTB is a network of trails outside Dubai, UAE running through some pretty awesome rocky desert. There are a number of routes suitable for most levels of rider. The scenery is spectacular and at times it looks like you could be on Mars! Riding is mostly through the late autumn and winter months with early starts.......the temperature reaches pretty unbearable limits during summer and spring. You can get there directly from Dubai along the E102 highway within an hour. There's a great MTB shop just before the Showka roundabout run by Philip Ramos with a full workshop and refreshments....real friendly locals, who have also built a few features along the trails. This is one trail you don't want to ride alone...it's a long walk back out the desert if it all goes pie-eyed!" My experience with middle east races with huge prize money stems from surfski racing. For a few years they pumped ridiculous sums into races and flew okes from all around the world. the fad passed and it doesn't even happen anymore. the iconic PE2EL race was even called the Shamaal for a few years (who cares about history when $$$$ are coming?)
philip.maree Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 See Ariane Luthi has been confirmed on Kross Racing Team. Really glad for her. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfQtPOlTii/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Wonder if she will do the Cape Epic 2019. Maybe with Maja Włoszczowska.
Jaco-fiets Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 See Ariane Luthi has been confirmed on Kross Racing Team. Really glad for her. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfQtPOlTii/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Wonder if she will do the Cape Epic 2019. Maybe with Maja Włoszczowska. Good team
Jaco-fiets Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 Still wondering where the "dream" in the Scott dream team comes from....... Sure Nino makes any team a dream team. The only other rider worth mentioning in their team is Kate.
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