The opening stage of the UAE Tour Women concluded with a sprint finish, where our riders Sofie van Rooijen and Lara Gillespie secured seventh and ninth places, respectively, after a 149 km route from Dubai Police Officer’s Club to Dubai Harbour.
A significant incident during the race was a massive crash involving around thirty athletes, including our own Gillespie, Van Rooijen, and Karlijn Swinkels. Fortunately, none of them sustained serious injuries.
The final sprint was claimed by Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx – Protime), who now leads the general classification. The stage featured a long breakaway by three riders – Linda Laporta, Sylvie Swinkels, and Cristina Tonetti – who were eventually caught just three kilometers before the finish. The aforementioned crash forced many riders into a chase, and Sofie van Rooijen had to change her bike approximately 40 kilometers from the finish.
Our team strategically protected its leaders for the more challenging upcoming stages and remained cohesive throughout the finale.
Additionally, today’s stage marked the debut of Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini in the UAE Team ADQ jersey.
Upcoming Stages:
Stage 2 | 07/02/2025 | Al Mirfa Stage
Al Dhafra Fort – Al Mirfa | Sprint stage (111 km)
Start: 13:50 – Finish: 16:30 (UAE Time)
Live on discovery+/Eurosport
Stage 3 | 08/02/2025 | Al Ain Stage
Al Ain Qasr al Muwaiji – Jebel Hafeet | Climb stage (152 km)
Start: 12:10 – Finish: 16:30 (UAE Time)
Live on discovery+/Eurosport
Stage 4 | 09/02/2025 | Abu Dhabi Stage
Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy – Abu Dhabi Breakwater | Sprint stage (128 km)
Start: 13:25 – Finish: 16:30 (UAE Time)
Live on discovery+/Eurosport
(Ph. Getty Sport)
