So far 2016 has been a year of mixed fortune for WJ Groundwater-sponsored cycle squad Team Frankie’s. One of the biggest changes is the reduced racing calendar. However, the team continues to grow apace and nowadays it has a healthy mix of locals and ex-pats from across a wide range of ages and backgrounds.
The team continues to have a really good social presence, both on local rides and online. Team Frankie’s is also known for supporting the local scene from the grassroots. It has a number of young riders under 23 years-old. One of the contenders, David, is hopeful that he can land a contract with a continental team on the back of his success with Team Frankie’s one day soon.
Results
Emirates TTT
Team Frankie’s mist significant win this year so far is the Emirates Airlines Cycling Club 50 km TTT (Team time trial).
* EMIRATES TTT SERIES MAY 2016 – Race winner
* EMIRATES TTT SERIES JUNE 2016 – Race winner
The guys raced around the 49.1 km Loop in 1hr:04m:18 sec at an average speed of 45.82 km/h! The course record currently stands at 1:03:48.3 (46.17 kph), so Team Frankie’s only needs 30 seconds to beat it. At present the boys also don’t own or have access to proper time trial bikes that could increase their average speed by 3 to 4 km/h.
Ride Ajman
Ajman is one of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE. To encourage cycling across the UAE, a 90 km race is held annually in the small Emirate (a mere 260 km2) which is open to all cyclists above the age of 16. Approximately 200 cyclists participated in this year’s race, not bad considering that Ajman has a population similar to Iceland of just 330,000.
RIDE AJMAN – David Williams 4th place elite and overall.
Jebel Hafeet
Jebel Hafeet by night
Jebel Hafeet is one of the highest mountains in the UAE at just over 4,000 ft. It featured in the 2015 Abu Dhabi Tour. It is hard work going up but exhilarating going down. The attached link will take you to a decent on the YouTube channel – Global Cycling Network – check out the top speed here.
* AL AIN TO JEBEL HAFEET RACE 1 – David Williams 6th place elite and overall.
* AL AIN TO JEBEL HAFEET RACE 2 – David Williams 5th place elite and overall. Levi Denys 7th place elite and overall.
Cape Rouleur 2016
The Cape Rouleur is a 5-day endurance road event that covers 600km and almost 6,000m of climbing. It is a pro style event that has rolling road closures, seeded groups commensurate with ability and full technical, medical, logistic and pro crew support.
* CAPE ROULEUR – CAPE TOWN – Paul Miles, first division qualifier.
Tour de France 2016
Jason in The Pyrenees
During the three week long Tour de France, one of Team Frankie’s core riders Jason, created an excellent blog recording his riding achievements during his recent exploits in Europe. You can find it here!
Round-up
Jason’s son Jack taking part in the 20 km off road Pulse Cycling event on his ‘Fat Boy’.
Every season Team Frankie’s loses a small number of riders and this year is no different. Its up and coming stars David and Levi are amongst them. David is now on the lookout for a pro contract and Levi will soon return to Spain. Yet with every departure the team welcomes new blood. A strong young rider from South Africa called Heinrich has just joined Team Frankie’s for instance.
Team Frankie’s is also trying to recruit Lian Aucamp. The squad strongly suspects that this 17 year-old dynamo will come to dominate the sport in the UAE, but they may have to make do with settling for signing up his Dad instead.
You can follow Team Frankie’s on Facebook here.
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