Wiebes wins after a wind-swept trip across the desert

Lorena Wiebes emerged triumphant in a thrilling second day of action - the Al Marina Holding Stage - at the first-ever UAE Tour Women.

The Team SD Worx rider went head-to-head with Charlotte Kool (Team DSM) once again in the final sprint of the day, and this time she came out on top in the battle with her former team-mate.

That victory also ensured Wiebes took the Red Jersey in the process, and she sits level on time with Kool at the top of the General Classification heading into the Queen stage of the race, with Chiara Consonni (Team UAE ADQ), who finished fifth on the stage, 10 seconds behind in third.

The Al Marina Holding Stage commenced at Al Dhafra Castle and took the riders on a 133km trip across the desert before the action culminated in the picturesque coastal town of Al Mirfa.

A fast and furious start saw the peloton split into echelons almost as soon as the start flag had lowered as strong winds made for a dramatic day in the saddle.

GC hopeful Marta Cavalli (FDJ Suez) was just one of the big-names that were initially distanced as a 15-strong group including Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek - Segafredo), Wiebes and stage one winner Kool disappeared up the road and built a lead of almost five minutes.

A lengthy and hard-fought chase ensued before the chase group eventually brought the leaders back with just over 20km to go. The tension didn't stop there though, and Cavalli found herself on the wrong side of a split once again, loosing 31", on the fast run-in to the destination town where Wiebes ruled supreme.

DOWNLOAD

• 2023 UAE Tour Women Stage 2 Photo Gallery
• 2023 UAE Tour Women Stage 2 Classifications
• 2023 UAE Tour Women Roadbook
• Stage 2 video with commentary (digital media only / NOT broadcast)
• Stage 2 video without commentary (digital media only / NOT broadcast)

(©UAE Tour Women)

STAGE RESULT
1 - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx), 133km in 3h35’28”, average speed 37.035km/h
2 - Charlotte Kool (Team DSM) s.t.
3 - Pfeiffer Georgi (Team DSM) s.t.


Mariam Al Mansouri, Representative Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy awarded Lorena Wiebes the Red Jersey (©LaPresse)

OFFICIAL JERSEYS

• Red Jersey, General Classification. Sponsor: Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy
  - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx)
• Green Jersey, Points Classification. Sponsor: Bike Abu Dhabi - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx), worn by Charlotte Kool (Team DSM)
• White Jersey, Young Rider Classification. Sponsor: Abu Dhabi 360 - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx), worn by Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ)
• Black Jersey, Intermediate Sprint Classification. Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi -Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka (Canyon//Sram Racing)

Saeed Al Muheiri, Qualitative Sports Department Director, ADSC, awarded Lorena Wiebes the Green Jersey (©LaPresse)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx)
2 - Charlotte Kool (Team DSM) s.t.
3 - Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ) at 10"

Mr. Mohammed Khalfan Al Hameli, Chairman of Al Marina Holding and H.E Mohammed Sanad Al Qubaisi, Vice President UAE Cycling Federation awarded the stage winner on the podium (©LaPresse)

PRESS CONFERENCE
Lorena Wiebes said in the press conference: "It was a hard stage, we had crosswinds from the beginning. Today I felt better, while sprinting I could feel I had more power in my legs and I showed it. This win is not really a revenge for me after yesterday, now I am ready for the next opportunity.
"My teammates did a great job keeping me out of danger, we always rode in the front of the race and in the first group. In the finale they helped me out with positioning, I really wanted to finish it off for them."

(©Sprint Cycling Agency)

The Black Jersey, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka, said: "It was a tough stage but I made it with my teammates. We rode in the front of the peloton since the start of the stage, I am happy with my performance and of the whole team. Now I am excited about tomorrow's stage."