First day in Dubai for Rui Costa and his team mates
LAMPRE-MERIDA cyclists spent the only one acclimatization day that all the teams that will take part in Dubai Tour (5-8 February) can exploit.
Blue-fuchsia-green team is hosted in hotel Rose Rayhaan, a 65 floors tower that will be the head quarter of half of the sport groups that will fight in the race.
The day of the world champion Rui Costa, one the most awaited cyclists, began with a trip from the hotel to the beach, just in front to the Burj al-Arab buidling (an iconic hotel in the form of a sail), with the purpose of posing with the other top riders for a photo shooting.
At the end of the photo shooting, the Portuguese cyclist take part to a press session.
In the early afternoon, the whole LAMPRE-MERIDA perform a training on a 8 km circuit for bikes circulation, covering 8 laps in a not so hot weather.
The officialy teams presentation, that took place in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, the highest biulding in the world (829,8 mt) ended the Arabian day. In photo (Bettini), Rui Costa and team mates and the amazing building behind them.
“Today I lived a new experience: this is my first time in Dubai, so I could appreciate live the potentiality of this Country – Rui Costa explained – There’s no cycling tradition, but I’m sure that, if there will be the will, Dubai will for sure achieve important goals in our sport.
I don’t feel pressure for the debut and the rainbow jersey, I’m happy to wear it and to be here to start the season in my new team.
The courses of the stages are more suitable for other riders, but I’ll do my best to honor the race”.
Photo: Lampre-Merida team/Bettini.
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