Jebel Hafeet, 11 February 2023 – Elisa Longo Borghini and Gaia Realini produced an incredible display of climbing to claim a one-two victory for Trek-Segafredo on top of Jebel Hafeet.
The Italian duo proved the strongest on the final ascent of the day, and crossed the line hand-in-hand with Longo Borghini just ahead of her teammate to take the stage win and Red Jersey. Realini’s efforts were also rewarded with the 21 year old being awarded the White Jersey.
Longo Borghini now sits seven seconds ahead of Realini at the top of the General Classification, with Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) – who finished 1 min 11 sec behind that pairing on the stage – in third overall. Stage 2 winner Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx) meanwhile, stayed in control of the Green Jersey with one stage remaining.
UAE Tour Women 2023-Realini e Longo Borghini in fuga
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council Stage took the riders 107km from the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, and once again, the action took place at a frenetic pace.
Five riders formed an early breakaway but they were caught as the peloton approached the final climb of the day. As the speeds ramped up, pre-race favourite Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez) was dropped before the road began to rise, and the peloton’s numbers continued to dwindle in the last 10km as the world’s best climbers came to the fore.
Indeed, only Longo Borghini and Realini were still in contention on the final drag to the finish line, and celebrated their victory in fine style.
PRESS CONFERENCE Elisa Longo Borghini said in the press conference: “This is the way you always dream to win, together with your teammate! Today I owe a lot to Gaia, she was just incredible setting such a hard pace and when we found ourselves alone we decided to try to go to the finish and celebrate together.
“I wanted Gaia to win the stage, and me the Red Jersey, but the Team DS did some calculations and said I should go for the win and Gaia would get the White Jersey of best young rider. Gaia wanted to cry because of how happy she was. She was amazing, and she’s such a talented young rider. I’m really glad to have her on my team, and to see her growing as a rider and person.”
Gaia Realini said: “Today was a very hard stage, but it was incredible for me. It’s my first season riding for a big team, and my first race for them, so I’m delighted to be on my first podium. Elisa and I had a good rhythm on the climb and it unbelievable to cross the line together. This has been a big day for us.”
UAE Tour Women – Terza Tappa da Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium a Jebel Hafeet-Lorena Wiebes in maglia verde (La Presse)
Lorena Wiebes said: “We expected some crosswinds and tried to do something with that and push it full gas until the start of the climb to try and put Anna Shackley in a good position, and she did a really good job finishing the stage in seventh.
“Once the climb had started, I could take it a little bit easier because tomorrow is another chance for a sprint and we will go again to try and win that.”
Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka said: “It was a really hard race, right from the start. My teammates did a really good job in the final so I am really happy. I’m happy to be in this jersey, I feel good and am enjoying the race, and I hope to defend it to the finish now.”
Stage 4: Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy – Abu Dhabi Breakwater (119 KM)
A stage around the city of Abu Dhabi. Departure is from the Sports Academy where the first part of the route heads northward to Khalifa City and then to the industrial area of Khalifa Port. It then converges on Yas Marina to go to Saadiyat Island, touching the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Corniche, until arriving at Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
Last kms
Last 5 km is on a wide road with large semi-curves that lead to the finish line on asphalt.
UAE TOUR PRESS ROOM
The media can download high resolution pictures of the race from the official online pressroom. In order to download the pictures, just go to http://pressroom.rcssport.it/ (username: press / password: press), select “Media”, then “Cycling”, then “UAE Tour”. The photos are free of charge for editorial use, as long as both the UAE Tour and the photographer’s name are credited.
Il mondo del cilcismo locale e nazionale ha trovato una nuova e qualificata vetrina online. Si tratta del sito www.pedaletricolore.it, fondato e diretto da Vito Bernardi, giornalista pubblicista, conosciuto da tutti nell'ambiente delle due ruote. Nelle sue pagine, Bernardi raccoglie notizie, comunicati stampa, immagini di corse, atleti, società, dirigenti, e la più ampia informazione su quello che accade quotidianamente nell'Alto Milanese, ma anche a livello nazionale ed internazionale
UAE Tour Women - Terza Tappa da Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium a Jebel Hafeet