22 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 SPORTS Geraint Thomas: I believe Froome Paris Aru could join UAE eraint Thomas (Team Sky) has publicly come Gforward to back his team leader after it was confirmed that the four- time winner had failed an anti-doping test TourParis goals deand especially those Francedelicate decision. It’s up to our includes four climbs; it’steam not fully understand their chances at the Vuelta a Espana in abio Aru could miss the of your team leaders really technical staff and the riders to really suited to time trial of success before making a final September. Giro d’Italia and target carefully. It’s important to consider things. The 2018 Tour specialists but to climbers. decision. While Froome’s future Fthe Tour de France alongside study the routes and compare de France seems to be designed “That’s why the final Other teams seem to be remains uncertain, Thomas new teammate them to the riders’ ability and really well for the climbers and decision will be taken further making similar choices. has also told Cyclingnews as the UAE Team Emirates style of racing,” Giuseppe for riders like as ahead, probably in the New Froome’s much-vaunted that he will be given freedom look for global exposure in the Saronni told Cyclingnews after well as Dan Martin. The Year. We’re going to take appearance at the Giro d’Italia to race for himself at the sport’s biggest and he and fellow managers Carlo time trial is extra time to carefully evaluate depends on the outcome of Tour de France and that if carefully study the race routes Saronni and Mauro Gianetti hard and every aspect because it’s a very his adverse analytical finding Froome is suspended then and their rivals’ plans. travelled to Sicily over the important decision. We want for salbutamol. He could ride the Welshman may lead the Aru seemed set to ride the weekend to see the riders at a the riders to compete in the while awaiting the final verdict, team. Giro d’Italia, with Martin team December training camp. races that suit them best.” be cleared in time for the A urine sample collected leader for the Tour de France “Until there’s not a final Saronni made it clear they start in Israel on May 4 or be at the Vuelta on stage 18 alongside new sprint leader no (to the Tour de France), are not shying away from forced to miss the race due to a (September 7) found that Alexander Kristoff. However, then there could be yes. The taking on Chris Froome (Team suspension. Froome had double the those reports have never been importance of the Tour de Sky) or any other big-name (Bahrain- legal amount of salbutamol confirmed by the team, with France is a key rival at the Giro d’Italia. Merida) has opted to target the in his system. The adverse the UAE Team Emirates factor. We’ve got to They Tour de France to appease his analytical finding (AAF) management deferring any consider the simply sponsors, while Movistar plan leaves Froome not just final decision until the New Tour first but want to field the trident of Nairo fighting for his Vuelta title Year. There is a real possibility it’s a very t o Quintana, and but also his reputation and that commercial and sporting difficult at the Tour his Team Sky career. If found interests could lead to UAE and de France. guilty of doping, Froome Team Emirates sending their (AG2R could face a two-year ban. three big-name signings to La Mondiale) will focus on Thomas was speaking the 2018 Tour de France. the Tour de France, as will to Cyclingnews from the It appears that the team’s Rigoberto Uran (EF Education Team Sky training camp in UAE backers and sponsors First-Drapac), with Tom Mallorca, Spain, and said understand that the Tour Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) that he believed that his team de France offers a far more apparently leaning towards a leader was innocent and visibility and prestige than the first shot at overall victory in that Froome would not have Giro d’Italia, with the week- July. Only (FDJ) deliberately broken the rules. long Tour on home is tempted to go for the Giro- “For a start, I trust him. roads in February perhaps Tour, with Esteban Chaves and I don’t think that he would equally as important as success flying the flag for do anything to try and cheat. at the Giro d’Italia in May. Fabio aru Mitchelton-Scott at the 2018 It’s just a difficult situation. “It’s important to plan your Giro d’Italia. (cyclingnews) I don’t know the facts that they’re going to use to argue their case but it’s hard and being who he is I can’t see Hempel win Division D 8A side Tournament them going lightly on him. I back him 100 per cent. I don’t think he’s a cheat. I’m sad for him, and his reputation but also for the team as well. That’s the main thing. It’s another thing against the team but I do trust that he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to cheat.” (cyclingnews)

Team members of Hempel Paints and Liaison Manama match in which Hempel Paints target Liaison fell short of Tournament - $50 and Trophy: empel Paints won CBA’s and Liaison qualified for the 3 runs, they scored 53 runs Kamran from Bassali Tiger H8A side Tournament finals. at the end of 5 wickets, Riaz Best Batsman of the BRIEF SCORE conducted on Bahrain Toss was won by Hempel scored 29 runs for Liaison, and Tournament - $50 and Hempel Paints 56/3 in 5 overs National Day for Division D and elected to bat first and Hempel lift the Division D 8-A Trophy: Riaz from Liaison (Vijay 17, Qadeer 1/9) beat Liaison teams scored 56 runs at the end of side title. Best All-Rounder of the 53/2 in 5 overs (Riaz 29, Zahid 15, More than 30 teams 5 overs, Vijay the top scorer Other Awards Tournament- $50 and Trophy: Shoaib 1/3) by 3 runs. participated in the 5 overs side with 17 runs, Chasing the Best Bowler of the Shihab from Master CC Geraint Thomas