Stephane Peterhansel will set out from Buenos Aires on Friday in his quest for a historic tenth victory in the Dakar Rally.
A former motorbike rider, the Frenchman won the event's motorbike class six times before switching to cars to win titles in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
He was the favourite to win a year ago before the event was scrapped for the first time in its 30-year history after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania. On-going security fears have seen the event relocated to South America this year, with competitors tackling 9,000 kilometres over the course of just 16 days.
And Peterhansel, 44, warned he would be just as competitive over the new terrain as he was in the event's more traditional African base.
"For me, the move to South America doesn't mean the event loses any of its character," he said. "I still think it will be a very difficult race, with dunes and hard stages. Maybe in the past I have managed to take advantage of the sand dunes in Mauritania but I still feel this will be a close and exciting race. I'm going there to win."
Peterhansel heads up the Mitsubishi team, which is bidding for an eighth consecutive win on the event. The team also boast three other former champions in their ranks: 2006 overall winner and former downhill skier Luc Alphand, 2002-3 champion Hiroshi Masuoka and former motorcycle champion Joan Roma, who has switched to four wheels.
The biggest challenge from a field made up of 230 motorcycles, 188 cars, 82 trucks and 30 4x4s is expected to come from Volkswagen.
The former World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz, who arguably knows the Argentine terrain better than the rest of the field from his world rallying days, heads up the VW bid.
However, he brushed off the advantage ahead of today's start, warning, "that's very different to the Dakar. None of my past rallies of Argentina will really count for anything".
For starters, the risk is far greater, with 48 competitors having lost their lives in the event's history.
The prestigious motorbike class is expected to be a head to head between Cyril Despres and Marc Coma, who between them have two of the last three Dakars on two wheels, and Despres insisted he had one solitary goal.
"As far as finishing is concerned, my firm intention is to be at the very top of the podium," said Despres. "I'm sure Marc will be my main rival - wherever we race in the world, it is usually between me and him and I can't see that being any different. That's fine by me."
Despres has been passing on tips to some of the amateur riders in the field, among them former France rugby international Christian Califano, who is tackling the event for the first time in the motorbike class.
Califano is one of just 530 crews entered from a variety of backgrounds. Others include an Australian grape grower, an Argentine who is so committed he has already has his race number tattoed on his arm and a Spanish paraplegic.
Esteve Pujol has entered 20 Dakars on a motorbike but will tackle it on four wheels this year in a specially adapted car after a serious accident in March 2007 left him severely disabled.
He said: "Today my life is different. It isn't better or worse. For me, the accident wasn't the end of something but just the start of a new period. I'm looking forward to this new Dakar."
Many of those entered are unlikely to complete the course through Argentina and Chile, which takes in Patagonia, the Andes mountains and routes along the Pacific Coast and through the Atacama Desert.
mmajendie@thenational.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Brief scores:
Southampton 2
Armstrong 13', Soares 20'
Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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