DOHA (Qatar): Doha Falcons along with 15 other Global champions League (GCL) teams will be on the starting grid when the opening round of the 2021 season is held from March 4 to 6 at the Al Shaqab Equestrian Arena.
Al Shaqab Equestrian Arena, part of Qatar Foundation, will provide the backdrop for a thrilling curtain-raiser for the Longines Global Champions Tour individual championship and GCL team series.
The GCL teams announced on Tuesday will feature top riders switching teams and new stars joining the fight for the coveted championship.
The Doha Falcons has welcomed one new face Constant van Paesschen (Belgium) to their stable that has Bassem Mohammed (Qatar), Mike Kawai (Japan), Titouan Schumacher (France), Yuri Mansur (Brazil), and U25 rider Philip Houston (Germany).
Doha Falcons aim will be fixed on victory at the high stakes GCL Finals and GCL Super Cup at the GC Prague Playoffs.
Berlin Eagles, Hamburg Giants, New York Empire, Monaco Aces, Paris Panthers, Prague Lions, Scandinavian Vikings, Shanghai Swans, St Tropez Pirates, St Tropez Pirates, London Knights, Miami Celtics, Madrid In Motion, Cannes Stars and Cascais Charms are the other teams.
Some of the high profile names on the list include Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze, who joins Cascais Charms. Popular Dutch champion Frank Schuttert has transfered to Scandinavian Vikings.
Cannes Stars have signed European gold medalist Cian O’Connor and LGCT Grand Prix of Paris Champion Sameh El Dahan, while Shanghai Swans pick up German maestro Christian Ahlmann to boost their firepower.
Others making a move are Jane Richard Philips who switched from Cannes Stars to Berlin Eagles and Prague Lions fielding Leopold van Asten.