Cycling’s big annual event, The Tour De France, starts today, and the UAE have a team taking part for the very first time. 

In addition, a female Emirati rugby team are taking part in the U’18 World Rugby Games in Paris today for the first time also. 

Team Emirates consists of 9 riders

The team includes Darwin Atapuma, Matteo Bono, Kristijan Durasek, Vegard Stek Laengen, Marco Marcato, Louis Meintjes, Manue le Mori, Ben Swift and Diego Ulissi. The team are confident that they have done the necessary preparation:

“We worked so hard as a team during last month on altitude, on Mount San Pellegrino in Italy, and all the data bring us confidence on the next Tour de France. For sure we also need good luck, but you have to help it”.

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Team Emirates sport director Mario Scirea

HH Sheikh Mohammed wished the U’18 team the best on their final practice before departing for Dubai

حضور الشيخ محمد بن مكتوم آل مكتوم رئيس الاتحاد والأمين العام قيس الظالعي للتمرين الختامي لمنتخب الامارات تحت ١٨ سنة قبل مغادرته غداً لباريس pic.twitter.com/UDwaNen4gF

— UAE Rugby Federation (@uaerugby) July 1, 2017

So honoured to be taking the first ever All Emirati female rugby team to an overseas tournament. #ParisWorldGames @uaerugby @WorldRugby pic.twitter.com/7w5LbAGg8Z

— Apollo Perelini (@Apollo11Rugby) July 1, 2017