Tomorrow...the second edition of the UAE Women's Tour begins in Dubai

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 8, the first stage of the second edition of the Emirates Women’s Tour 2024 (the only international race in the Middle East) will begin tomorrow, with the participation of 120 elite international female racers, representing 20 international teams, organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which will be held across 4 stages with a total distance of 468 km. km, and continues until February 11th.
The first stage (Dubai Stage), sponsored by the Dubai Sports Council, begins from Dubai Miracle Garden all the way to Dubai Harbour, a distance of 122 km, where the tour passes through the most prominent tourist and investment landmarks in the Emirate of Dubai, starting with Dubai Sports City, Al Qudra Cycling Track, Flamingo Lake, and City of... Jumeirah, and others..., bringing the circumnavigation to its final point in Dubai Harbour.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council held a press conference today, Wednesday, February 7, at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club on Al Hudayriat Island, in the presence of 6 of the international female racers participating in the Tour to talk about their aspirations and preparations for the race.
Spanish Mavi Garcia, from the Australian AlUla Jayco team, expressed her happiness at participating in the UAE Women’s Tour for the first time, and said: “I feel very happy to be here in the Emirates and participate in the second edition of the Tour. Of course, I will try my best to win one of the speed stages. Maybe the matter will be different.” Because the stages of the race are diverse, but my first goal is to focus on topping the general classification and getting the red jersey. The team will play as one group, and my teammates will definitely help me, and we will see how we will apply the attack tactic before the finish line, especially during the first stage.”
Italian Silvia Persico, from the Emirates Holding Team, confirmed that the team is looking forward to winning the Tour title because it is held in its home country, and to inspire and encourage females to practice cycling.
Persico said: “The race is a great challenge for us because we represent the United Arab Emirates. We will try to win every stage, to win the title in the end, especially since the Emirates Holding team is a model for women’s cycling teams here in the Emirates, and I believe that many girls are fans of cycling.” “This sport is very popular with us.”
Persico added: “I achieved third place in the final standings of the Tour last year, and I will try to reach a better position in the second edition and help the team win.”
Belgian Lotte Kubicki from the Dutch S Dubai Works team, who won the road race in the 2023 World Championship in Britain, is the most prominent candidate for the UAE Tour title, as she succeeded in winning the points standings in the Tour de France last year and second place in the general classification of the race, commenting on the extent of her readiness for the Tour. Emirates, Kopecky said: “I may be in a position that is not as strong as I was in the 2023 Tour de France, but I am ready to run the race here in the Emirates and try to win the general classification.”
She added: "Wearing the world champion's jersey means a lot to me, and it motivates me to do more to maintain the first positions. There may be several scenarios during the race due to the wind, which makes the competition more exciting."
Italian Elisa Longo Borghini, from the American Liddell Trek team, and the title holder of the first edition of the UAE Tour, returns to participate in the second edition with great aspirations, despite the injury she suffered several months ago, which caused her to be absent from many races.
Borghini confirmed that winning the UAE Tour last year constituted her best memory in 2023, especially the moment she won and crossed the finish line next to her teammate at the top of Jebel Hafeet. She said: “It was a wonderful feeling celebrating together at the finish line. The win is like my best memories last year. Fortunately, I was able to "I am unable to return after an absence of about 7 months due to injury, but I feel that I am in good health now."
Borghini indicated her confidence in her colleagues in the Liddell Trek team due to their strength and speed, and she is looking forward to exploiting the opportunities to provide a good race throughout its four stages.
She added: "I thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the organizers for the warm reception, and my first impression since last year is that the event was organized wonderfully and everyone welcomed us in a distinctive way."
For her part, the 25-year-old Dutchwoman Lorena Wiebes, from the SD Works team, said that it is very important to try to win the first stages of the race because it reduces the pressure on the team, adding: “I dream of wearing the red jersey and topping the general classification during my second participation.” In the UAE Tour, I won the third stage last year, and of course I strive to win with the team the largest number of speed stages. I believe that the competition will be intense between all the teams.”
In turn, Canadian Allison Jackson, from the American EF Education team, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the Tour, and confirmed that her career has changed after achieving a better performance in 2023, and the team is entering the race with the aim of winning.
She said: "The race represents a big step towards increasing the number of women practicing cycling, which helps promote the sport in general. I came early to the Emirates to prepare for the Tour, and I think it was important to get to know the weather, wind speed and other factors that determine the course of the race." .