Tristan Hamm’s Knockout Victory: A Turning Point for Dubai Events

1,400 attendees, 400+ influencers, $200,000 worth of donated tickets; viral knockout surpasses 500 million Instagram views Dubai, 17 April 2025: At a time when regional tensions had significantly disrupted live events across the city, Canadian professional boxer and social media personality Tristan Hamm helped reignite Dubai’s sporting spirit through his community-driven “Spirit of Dubai” initiative. The … Continue reading Tristan Hamm’s Knockout Victory: A Turning Point for Dubai Events →

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has decided to reschedule Qatar Cup 2026, to be included in 2026-2027 season calendar.

In a statement today, Qatar Stars League (QSL), said it had, in co-ordination with relevant stakeholders, discussed the remaining fixtures of the current 2025-2026 season, which has witnessed several unscheduled breaks as well as the participation of Qatari clubs in international competitions and national team's preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and decided to reschedule Qatar Cup 2026, to be included in 2026-2027 season calendar. asg-reflektory.pl

Doha, Qatar: Coach Roberto Mancini heaped praise on Al Sadd SC after their outstanding display secured a place in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026 on Monday.

The Qatari side showed tremendous resilience, coming from behind three times to force extra time after a thrilling 3-3 draw, before overcoming favourites Al Hilal SFC 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout.

“The players put on a fantastic and strong performance, and I congratulate them on this result," said Italian tactician Mancini after the match.

"Beating Al Hilal was difficult because we were playing against what is considered the strongest team in Asia,”

“In this tournament, there are strong and high-level teams like Al Hilal, Al Ahli (Saudi FC) and Al Ittihad (Club) and they are all striving to win this title. We, however, are also a good team and we play good football, and we will see what happens in the end.”

While Al Sadd can look forward to a quarter-final against Japan’s Vissel Kobe tomorrow, Al Hilal’s dreams of yet another continental title were dashed with head coach Simone Inzaghi admitting his disappointment that they were unable to see out the tie despite dominating in the thrilling battle.

“We all saw how the match unfolded, and we apologise to the Al Hilal fans for our loss. We knew what was important for us, but luck wasn’t on our side,” said Inzaghi.

“The team played with commitment, tried everything and scored three goals. We also had many opportunities to take the lead - both in regulation time and extra time - but the opposing team was resolute.”

The Italian tactician vowed that Al Hilal would bounce back from the disappointment.

“Considering the number of chances we had, we deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals. We need time to overcome this loss, but in football, you have to have targets and now we must focus on achieving our next objectives.“We still have two competitions to play for - the King’s Cup, where we have reached the final, and the league, where we still have six matches remaining. Despite this, we are disappointed to have been eliminated from the AFC Champions League,” the Al Hilal coach added.

Doha, Qatar: Al Arabi were crowned champions of the 13th Qatar Basketball Cup (2025–2026) after defeating Al Shamal 77-71 at Al Gharafa Hall yesterday, sealing their fifth title and third consecutive triumph.

Al Arabi took early control, dominating the first quarter 24–13 with strong defensive pressure and forcing turnovers. Al Shamal responded in the second quarter, tightening their defence and improving tempo to edge it 21-17 and cut the halftime deficit.

After the break, Al Arabi regained control through disciplined rotations and balanced scoring, winning the third quarter 21-16 to rebuild their advantage. The final quarter witnessed a spirited fightback from Al Shamal, who won the period 21-15 and closed the gap, but Al Arabi held firm in key moments to secure the victory.

The win moves Al Arabi to a record five Qatar Basketball Cup titles, surpassing Al Gharafa’s four. Qatar SC, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah each hold one title.

Al Shamal’s Tyree Crump led all scorers with 36 points, while Al Arabi’s Elmedin Kikanović top-scored for his side with 28.

Following the match, Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani, President of Al Arabi Club, Abdullah Shamsan Al Sada, Vice President of Al Shamal Club, and Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Basketball Federation, presented the trophy and gold medals to the champions

The champions were presented with the trophy and gold medals by Qatar Basketball Federation officials and club representatives, along with a prize of QR 600,000. Al Shamal received silver medals and QR 400,000.

Al Arabi reached the final after a dramatic 104-103 overtime win over Al Rayyan, while Al Shamal advanced by beating Al Wakrah 71-56 in the semi-finals.

It’s one of those quiet debates happening in more coffee shops than you might think: should triathletes consider running a larger front chainring? At first glance, it might seem like something only the pros would worry about. But if you're serious about squeezing every ounce of efficiency out of your ride, and setting yourself up for a smoother run, it's worth your attention.

In this post, we’ll break down what larger chainrings actually do, how they influence both your bike split and your run, and who might (and might not) benefit from making the switch. We'll also unpack the role crank length plays in this decision and help you understand how the right setup can elevate not just your speed, but your race day experience.

The Rise of the Big Ring

If you've been watching the pro scene, you've probably noticed the trend: bigger chainrings are becoming the norm. Riders in time trials and long-course triathlon events are turning to 54T, 56T, even 60T chainrings. But why?

At its core, a larger chainring enables you to maintain higher speeds with fewer revolutions of the pedals. That can be a big win on flat, fast courses where maintaining momentum is key. The drivetrain itself also benefits. By using a larger chainring, your chain spends more time on the middle of the cassette at the rear, which reduces cross-chaining, lessens mechanical drag, and ultimately improves efficiency.

So in theory, bigger chainrings offer small but measurable gains in mechanical performance. But the real question for most triathletes is: do those gains translate to better results when you factor in the run?

The Real-World Trade-Offs

Here in the UAE, where many courses are flat and fast, it's easy to assume that a bigger chainring is an automatic advantage. But what works in the wind tunnel doesn't always work in the real world of age-group triathlon.

A larger chainring means a harder gear. That can be fine if you're pushing high watts and riding at 40km/h+ consistently. But for many age-groupers, especially those still developing their cycling power or racing on mixed terrain, it can create unintended fatigue. Grinding a gear that's too big can lower your cadence and increase muscular strain, particularly in the quadriceps and hip flexors, the same muscles you'll rely on when you hit the run.

In other words, it's not just about riding fast. It's about riding efficiently and arriving in T2 with legs that are ready to perform.

How Crank Length Comes Into Play

Crank length is often overlooked, but it’s a crucial part of this conversation. Shorter cranks (think 165mm or below) have gained popularity because they allow riders to maintain a tighter aero position and open up the hip angle, especially important for long-course triathletes who spend hours in the aero bars.

But here's where it gets interesting: when you shorten your cranks and keep the same chainring size, the mechanical leverage changes. You might find that you're spinning faster to maintain the same speed. For some, that means pairing shorter cranks with a larger chainring helps maintain a more comfortable cadence and reduces perceived exertion.

However, it’s a delicate balance. Go too big on the front ring without the power or cadence to support it, and you risk tipping the scales toward early fatigue.

So, Who Should Consider a Larger Chainring?

Larger chainrings aren’t just for the elite few, but they do make the most sense under specific conditions. If your races are predominantly flat and fast (hello, T100 Dubai), and you have the power profile to hold high speeds consistently, a bigger ring can help you stay efficient and aero with less cadence-related fatigue.

Likewise, if you've recently moved to shorter cranks and find yourself spinning out in the high gears, upgrading your front ring might restore balance and help you maintain a smoother power delivery.

And if you’re a strong cyclist who tends to over-rely on cadence rather than force, a larger ring can encourage more effective gear usage, as long as you don’t overdo it.

And Who Should Stick to Standard Gearing?

For newer athletes, or those racing on more varied terrain (think rolling hills, technical turns, or strong headwinds), sticking with a 50/34 or 52/36 setup offers more flexibility. It allows you to spin up inclines without grinding, and reduces muscular fatigue over long efforts.

More importantly, it supports a smoother transition to the run. Remember: a triathlon isn’t won on the bike, but it can definitely be lost there if your legs are cooked before you even lace up your trainers.

As a coach and athlete, I’ve always said: gear choice should support your physiology, not fight it. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. But what you can do is choose equipment that matches your strengths, your course, and your goals.

If you're curious about whether a larger chainring or shorter crank setup might benefit your performance, stop by the Sported shop or Velo Presto. We’ve tested countless combinations, and we’re always happy to help you find the right fit, on paper and on the road.

By David Hunt certified TriSutto coach