For the third time in her career and for the second consecutive year wearing the Italian champion’s jersey of UAE Team ADQ, Elisa Longo Borghini claimed overall victory at the UAE Tour Women, triumphing in the home race of her team.
The UAE Tour Women was the first major goal of the season for UAE Team ADQ, and this success represents a great joy for the entire team, as well as for a whole country and a cycling community that continues to grow year after year in both numbers and passion.
Once again, the decisive moment came on the slopes of Jebel Hafeet, where the Italian champion showcased her class. Longo Borghini won the final stage by a clear margin, securing the overall classification as well.
As in the previous three days, UAE Team ADQ delivered an outstanding collective performance. On the final climb, Karlijn Swinkels and then Silvia Persico set a strong pace at the front of the peloton, progressively reducing the group.
Several attacks from rivals further split the leading group, with Elisa Longo Borghini remaining on her own but always in full control. When the UAE Team ADQ leader launched her decisive acceleration, only Kasia Niewiadoma was able to follow. The two stayed together briefly, before Longo Borghini’s second, powerful surge proved decisive.
The Italian champion rode away solo to the finish line on Jebel Hafeet, celebrating another prestigious victory and once again igniting the enthusiasm of the Emirati crowd.
After the finish, Elisa Longo Borghini said: “This is an important victory for me and for the entire UAE Team ADQ, because we are racing at home, in front of our team and our most important sponsors, and we know how much this race means to them. Last year I arrived here in top form, while this winter I took a more relaxed approach and wasn’t completely sure about my condition. I knew I had worked well, but the race was the real test. I think I delivered a solid performance and was able to produce good power on the climb. It was definitely a bit harder to win this year, but I really enjoyed it and it was great to win again.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
