WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 13 Historic first for Bahrain cycling Ahmed Madan to become Kingdom’s first athlete to compete amongst world’s elite in 2021 WorldTour of Union Cycliste Internationale

• Ahmed Madan signs with Team Bahrain eam Bahrain Victorious is the new The team’s founder, His Majesty Victorious for 2021 season Tname of the squad, previously the King’s Humanitarian Works and Team Bahrain McLaren, for the 2021 Youth Affairs representative and Su- Twenty-year-old season, as part of a change in its stra- preme Council for Youth and Sports Bahrain• national team tegic direction. chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser This transition represents an excit- bin Hamad Al Khalifa commented: member graduates from ing new chapter in the team’s journey, “Cycling is one of the most challeng- UCI continental circuit which will expedite its vision to show- ing sports which requires dedication, case the ambition and optimism of the discipline and perseverance. It’s these TDT | Manama Kingdom of Bahrain to the world. values that are needed to take on en- The inclusion of Victorious into durance sports which are capable of the team’s name serves as a constant promoting a better lifestyle for all. eam Bahrain Victorious an - reminder of its goal to achieve success “Team Bahrain Victorious will re- nounced yesterday the signing of at the highest level both on and off flect our vision for building a perfor- Tthe first Bahraini UCI WorldTour the bike. mance-first team that aims to inspire cyclist Ahmed Madan for the upcoming To complement the existing rider and win at the highest level.” 2021 season. line-up which includes , The team’s strong connection to the Since Bahrain entered the Union , , , Kingdom is represented by the proud Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World- and Matej Mohoric, support of the Bahrain Economic Tour back in 2017, one of the ambitions the team has signed , Jon- Development Board, Bapco, Batelco, was always to inspire young riders and athan Milan and Gino Mäder, along National Bank of Bahrain and Alba, develop the most talented to ride with Ahmed Madan…historic achievement with Bahrain Ahmed Madan. amongst many others. world’s best in the pro peloton. The first to meet this ambition is he started to show his talent he cess to cycling in the Kingdom.” 20-year-old Madan, who joined the started road racing. His first official Madan is looking forward to his first Bahrain national team in 2018. camp with the national team was in season in UCI WorldTour cycling and After a series of strong performances, I’m excited about signing for Turkey where he quickly showed his is hoping he will inspire other young Madan’s potential was rewarded with a the team, and I want to work potential. Bahraini’s to take up the sport and make place in the Bahrain Cycling Academy, hard to make Bahrain proud. “His passion for cycling is his big- KNOW WHAT it at the highest level. which was founded by His Majesty the gest asset because it drives him to put On signing with the team, Madan King’s Humanitarian Works and Youth This is an opportunity for me in the necessary training to reach the said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank His Affairs representative and Supreme to take my cycling to the next top. Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Council for Youth and Sports chairman level and learn from some of “Last season, he raced with Bah- The UCI WorldTour is the Khalifa, who has given all young Bah- His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad the best cyclists in the world rain Cycling Academy on the UCI premier global circuit for raini cyclists a path to compete in this Al Khalifa, to provide promising young AHMED MADAN continental circuit. Making the step- men’s elite road cycling. It amazing sport. cyclists with a path to professional up to the UCI WorldTour is a big feat holds events in countries “I’m excited about signing for the cycling. president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad as Ahmed is the first Bahraini rider all over the world, including team, and I want to work hard to make After one year of racing with the Al Khalifa, who identified Madan as a to join the elite riders of the cycling the world-renowned Tour Bahrain proud. academy, Madan graduated to the UCI cyclist who could move up the ranks. world. “This is an opportunity for me to continental circuit. His passion and Shaikh Khalid commented: “Ahmed “Ahmed will hopefully lead a new de France. The 2021 season take my cycling to the next level and attitude during this time caught the at- came to the cycling scene through wave of Bahrain cyclists that can com- schedule features 21 races learn from some of the best cyclists in tention of Bahrain Cycling Association group rides and mountain biking, but pete at the highest level and bring suc- the world.”

Rizwan-inspired Pakistan stop World champion Vera vows to New Zealand T20 sweep stay in heavyweight next year AFP | Napier ohammad Rizwan celebrat- TDT | Manila Med his elevation to the Paki- stan Test captaincy in style Tues- eigning ONE heavyweight world day, smashing a career-best 89 to Rchampion Brandon “The Truth” stop New Zealand claiming a se - Vera has been out of action for more ries sweep in the third Twenty20 than a year now, but he is eager to in Napier. mount a comeback next year. Pakistan reached New Zealand’s The Filipino-American superstar target of 174 with two balls to spare, was last seen in action in October last ending on 177 after Iftikhar Ahmed year when he lost to Myanmar’s Mixed sealed the win with a six in the final Martial Art (MMA) superstar Aung La over. N Sang via second-round technical But it was Rizwan’s 89 from 59 knockout after dropping down to light balls, with support from 41-run Mo- heavyweight to figure in a title bout in hammad Hafeez, that inspired the that division. victory. Learning his lesson, “The Truth” said It was a hard-fought win for the he intends to focus on the heavyweight tourists, who suffered heavy de - Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot division, especially after ONE Champi- feats in the two opening match- onship bolstered its ranks with a pleth- es after a rocky preparation that captain of Pakistan and I can’t ex- ora of new signings – many of whom included Covid-19 quarantine in plain my happiness,” he said after have since called out Vera. “The Truth” Vera is planning to get busy again next year Christchurch with no training. his man-of-the-match T20 perfor- He has since reaffirmed his desire to “No way! I am never cutting back The win was particularly sweet mance. hold down the fort in his natural weight down again, ever! I’m done with weight for Rizwan, who was named on Rizwan said the T20 victory was class and welcomes all challengers to cutting in my career,” he said. Monday as captain for the first an important morale booster ahead the belt that he has held since Decem- I’m very much looking Though nothing has been finalised as Test against New Zealand starting of the two-Test series against the ber 2015. forward to all of the of the moment, “The Truth” is expected December 26 after regular skipper Black Caps. “I’m very much looking forward to challenges, and I’m looking to make his next title defense against Babar Azam was ruled out with a “We want to take momentum all of the challenges, and all of the chal- to fight twice a year. There India’s Arjan Bhullar, another worthy broken thumb. from this into the Test match, so this lengers,” said the 42-year-old Vera. “I’m name in the mix. That bout could come “I never thought I’d be made the is very important for us,” he said. looking to fight twice a year.” are enough people that I in early 2021. After two losses when batting “There are enough people that I want want to compete against One thing is certain, ONE Champion- first, Pakistan changed tactics and to compete against throughout the year throughout the year to ship’s heavyweight division is looking opted to bowl when they won the to motivate me to go twice.” motivate me to go twice very deep right now, and Vera suddenly toss, restricting New Zealand to Vera said he is also willing to give BRANDON “THE TRUTH” VERA has a myriad of tough matchups he 173 for seven, with Devon Conway Sang a shot at his heavyweight crown. could possibly face in the Circle. At this top-scoring on 63. He wants to pay back Sang for granting course, he gave me a shot at his cham- stage in his career, Vera is rejuvenated. 89 Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the him a title shot for the light heavy - pionship belt. It would probably seem “The level of competition has just runs were scored by Pakistan attack, taking three for 20. weight crown, one of the belts the My- rude not to,” said Vera. increased exponentially. ONE Cham- Mohammad Rizwan from The strategy of chasing down anmar champion owns now. But when asked whether or not he pionship is making a very comfortable 59 balls to make it his New Zealand’s total paid off as Ri- career-best “I’d give anyone a shot at the heavy- would like to challenge Sang again in home for the big boys and giving me a zwan and Hafeez forged a 72-run weight title if they are in line and chal- the light heavyweight, Vera had a firm lot of work to do. I’m looking forward partnership that laid the foundation lenging, champ-champ included. Of response. to all of it,” said Vera. for the win.