Tuesday 21 February 2017
It's been a long time since I was last in Abu Dhabi, sixteen years in fact. While it was built up then, it's even more so now. Rather interesting to say the least.
Last time round I was tea boy/chart folder/raconteur in a oil company's office and stayed in a crew flat in the downtown precinct. Now I'm back as a roving reporter (thanks Paul, Federico, Manolo et al) travelling light and covering an international stage race. How the times have changed: I was the only cyclist in Abu Dhabi circa 2001, now the island is abuzz with razor thin pro bike riders. This morning, the Yas Viceroy hosted one the world's most comprehensive breakfast buffets for the lowest total body fat percentage per square metre!
The garden staff looked on in bemusement, as did Peter S.
Wednesday 22 February 2017
Greetings from Abu Dhabi, or the Yas Island to be more specifically-correct. The day before a cycling race is often a 'dead day,' even for the pros. Nevertheless they've been getting dizzy rolling around the Marina F1 circuit while we (the pesky media) ask them questions before training and get them to pose for 'natural' shots. The nerve!
The thing about living in a posh hotel is that there is plenty of everything. And there are plenty of those here. That and lots of luxury yachts, which I've been observing on my barefoot morning marina jogs. Barefoot? Well there aint any soft surfaces to justify shoes so barefoot it is. Have got some funny looks, even from Nairo Quintana.
Bloody cyclists!
Thursday 23 February 2017
Good morning from a mild and sunny Abu Dhabi. The problem with lavishness is air-conditioning so I've got the door open. Birds are singing outside my hotel room while countless airliners pass overhead.
OK, so the 'phony war' is over: the Abu Dhabi Tour begins today, with a flat (read: very, very, very flat) out and back 189km from Madinat Zayed. Expressions are more serious in the breakfast area although lots of 'Ciaos' and 'Bonjours' can still be heard, albeit a little softer. Not too many 'Howzit Chinas' though.
Some images to peruse, including compulsory pro rider reading material (*that bearded bloke is everywhere), paparazzi on track, mechanics riding with their riders, an Aussie who lives in the Czech Republic, blissful working conditions, social sprinters sitting on the floor while GC contenders hog the chairs and a couple of sketches whilst waiting for dinner. It's not everyday that you get to walk an entire lap of an F1 circuit, especially in slip-slops.
Hamba Kakuhle.
Friday 24 February 2017
While another mild days greets us at the Abu Dhabi Tour, spare a thought for the riders caught up in yesterday's crash. Some grumpy faces arrived at the hotel late last night and rightly so.
Our 2hr transfer to Madinat Zayed stage start was interesting. The UAE seems to be under constant construction, with high-speed traffic being the order of day. The start venue was a mix of World Tour glamour, hardworking team staff, passionate Italian team directors, nervous riders, local kids excited by the race coming to their school and traditional culture. A true case of tight-fitting lycra meets loose local attire.
Dichotomy perhaps?
Saturday 25 February 2017
Bonjour, Ciao, Hola, Howzit, Molweni from the Abu Dhabi Tour. I've just returned from a dawn jog around the Marina, the cool breeze flowing through my hair like...OK, forget the last part.
Serious business today and I'm excited. Sure, it is the mountaintop finishing 'Queen Stage' today but I'm excited to see Al Ain, an inland city about 2hrs from here. It's all been flat (surprise!) and fast here so the racing dynamic will be interesting to say the least.
In between quizzing SA riders with hard-hitting questions, it's been great to get some other more serious perspectives. And yesterday was no different. The team start area was under a bridge, team buses were parked next to local buses, the sea was flat, I hitched a ride with a team staff member and went to a mall for a 'small' team shop ("Excuse me sir, you are not allowed into Carrefour wearing that bag."), took photos of flags and watched colleagues type furiously, take photos of the TV (copyright?) and of half-naked riders.
Perhaps the more disturbing aspect is that I've only just realized what direction north is in.
Ayoba!
Sunday 26 February 2017
Part One: Sunday in the Middle East is actually the second day of the working week. I only just realized this whilst trotting along wondering why there was so much traffic. Makes sense then why there were so many beach-goers on Friday. And I thought nobody worked in Abu Dhabi.
OK - yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Tour was long, but in a good way. A two hour transfer to Al Ain saw us stop for 'piddle break.' After my usual start-area nuisance-making with riders ('Juri, please can you read about your brother?' and staff (asking a Russian-speaking American to say 'goeie more'), I thumbed a lift to the top of Jebel Hafeet, the finish of yesterday's stage. Real Peter 'O Toole stuff, blitzing up into the desert hills just like old Lawrence.
The race to the top of the hill has already been well-documented (please click elsewhere), but the race back down not so much. After another 'smous,' I was hurtling back to Abu Dhabi in the company of sleeping riders and an engaging coach and sporting director.
Here there and everywhere, thanks to the kindness and accommodation of others. Thank you sketch included, as well as Nicholas Roche on feeling good.
HASHTAG_Ciao_Au Revoir_Auf Wiedersehen_Julle's Duidelik.
Part 2: It never rains in Abu Dhabi, except for Sunday night bike racing.
More greetings from the rainy Middle East, where a 1.5 bar drop in tyre pressure is apparently the key to negotiating a slippery circuit usually reserved for fast cars. That and heat cream instead of sun screen. What really bothers me though is that my slip-slop clad walk around the F1 track has been thwarted due to precipitation.
At least I'm not as peed off as the Belgians and Dutch. It is raining there and now it is raining here. And they stood watching the rain. Juri and Jack still smiled though.
Epilogue: Sunday Night Lights draws my Abu Dhabi Tour adventure to a close. Thanks to Paul, Xylon, Federico and Manolo for this opportunity. Much fun was had in the desert.
Orica-Scott prevailed this evening by the way. But I think you probably already knew that (cycling aficionados that is).
Time for dinner and light-traveler packing.
Tot siens
Last time round I was tea boy/chart folder/raconteur in a oil company's office and stayed in a crew flat in the downtown precinct. Now I'm back as a roving reporter (thanks Paul, Federico, Manolo et al) travelling light and covering an international stage race. How the times have changed: I was the only cyclist in Abu Dhabi circa 2001, now the island is abuzz with razor thin pro bike riders. This morning, the Yas Viceroy hosted one the world's most comprehensive breakfast buffets for the lowest total body fat percentage per square metre!
The garden staff looked on in bemusement, as did Peter S.
Wednesday 22 February 2017
The thing about living in a posh hotel is that there is plenty of everything. And there are plenty of those here. That and lots of luxury yachts, which I've been observing on my barefoot morning marina jogs. Barefoot? Well there aint any soft surfaces to justify shoes so barefoot it is. Have got some funny looks, even from Nairo Quintana.
Bloody cyclists!
Thursday 23 February 2017
OK, so the 'phony war' is over: the Abu Dhabi Tour begins today, with a flat (read: very, very, very flat) out and back 189km from Madinat Zayed. Expressions are more serious in the breakfast area although lots of 'Ciaos' and 'Bonjours' can still be heard, albeit a little softer. Not too many 'Howzit Chinas' though.
Some images to peruse, including compulsory pro rider reading material (*that bearded bloke is everywhere), paparazzi on track, mechanics riding with their riders, an Aussie who lives in the Czech Republic, blissful working conditions, social sprinters sitting on the floor while GC contenders hog the chairs and a couple of sketches whilst waiting for dinner. It's not everyday that you get to walk an entire lap of an F1 circuit, especially in slip-slops.
Hamba Kakuhle.
Friday 24 February 2017
Our 2hr transfer to Madinat Zayed stage start was interesting. The UAE seems to be under constant construction, with high-speed traffic being the order of day. The start venue was a mix of World Tour glamour, hardworking team staff, passionate Italian team directors, nervous riders, local kids excited by the race coming to their school and traditional culture. A true case of tight-fitting lycra meets loose local attire.
Dichotomy perhaps?
Saturday 25 February 2017
Serious business today and I'm excited. Sure, it is the mountaintop finishing 'Queen Stage' today but I'm excited to see Al Ain, an inland city about 2hrs from here. It's all been flat (surprise!) and fast here so the racing dynamic will be interesting to say the least.
In between quizzing SA riders with hard-hitting questions, it's been great to get some other more serious perspectives. And yesterday was no different. The team start area was under a bridge, team buses were parked next to local buses, the sea was flat, I hitched a ride with a team staff member and went to a mall for a 'small' team shop ("Excuse me sir, you are not allowed into Carrefour wearing that bag."), took photos of flags and watched colleagues type furiously, take photos of the TV (copyright?) and of half-naked riders.
Perhaps the more disturbing aspect is that I've only just realized what direction north is in.
Ayoba!
Sunday 26 February 2017
OK - yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Tour was long, but in a good way. A two hour transfer to Al Ain saw us stop for 'piddle break.' After my usual start-area nuisance-making with riders ('Juri, please can you read about your brother?' and staff (asking a Russian-speaking American to say 'goeie more'), I thumbed a lift to the top of Jebel Hafeet, the finish of yesterday's stage. Real Peter 'O Toole stuff, blitzing up into the desert hills just like old Lawrence.
The race to the top of the hill has already been well-documented (please click elsewhere), but the race back down not so much. After another 'smous,' I was hurtling back to Abu Dhabi in the company of sleeping riders and an engaging coach and sporting director.
Here there and everywhere, thanks to the kindness and accommodation of others. Thank you sketch included, as well as Nicholas Roche on feeling good.
Part 2: It never rains in Abu Dhabi, except for Sunday night bike racing.
More greetings from the rainy Middle East, where a 1.5 bar drop in tyre pressure is apparently the key to negotiating a slippery circuit usually reserved for fast cars. That and heat cream instead of sun screen. What really bothers me though is that my slip-slop clad walk around the F1 track has been thwarted due to precipitation.
At least I'm not as peed off as the Belgians and Dutch. It is raining there and now it is raining here. And they stood watching the rain. Juri and Jack still smiled though.
Orica-Scott prevailed this evening by the way. But I think you probably already knew that (cycling aficionados that is).
Time for dinner and light-traveler packing.
Tot siens
