Port Rashid - Dubai Harbour

Port Rashid - Dubai Harbour

UAE Tour stage 1

09/02/2023 • Port Rashid - Dubai Harbour - Charlotte Kool

The first stage of the UAE Tour degenerated into a hectic finale with two crashes. Lorena Wiebes saw her chances disappear like snow in the sun when she went down at 3.8 kilometers from the line. "A rider in front of me fell just in front of my front wheel. Dodging was impossible at that speed, so I was brought down. I don't think I've ever been back on my bike so quickly. A fall like that always takes energy. I also feel now that I fell and it will be stiff tomorrow. The adrenaline might help me to still win a stage in the coming days."

Despite the crash, Wiebes was still able to sprint for the win. "After the fall I was back in Barbara Guarischi's wheel pretty quickly. The lead-out went fine. Femke Markus brought us nicely through the last corner and the timing of the lead-out was also good. Only I fell just that little bit short of strength."

I'm a bit bummed about the crash, but my overall feeling is good after today. I'm happy that the lead-out went well. That gives me a lot of confidence for the coming days. Tomorrow I will go full for the win.

Lorena Wiebes

Wiebes stranded in Dubai Harbour in second place behind Charlotte Kool. "Overall, I look back on this stage with a good feeling," the European champion continued. "Of course, I'm a bit bummed about the crash, but as a team we had it well under control. At the important points we were there and we solved it well. I'm happy that the lead-out went well. That also gives me a lot of confidence. Tomorrow there is another sprint opportunity and then we will go full for the win."

Photos below are for editorial non-commercial use only, subject to mandatory copyright notice (c) Getty Images for print purposes and @GettySport for online use.

Results

RankingCyclist
1Charlotte Kool
2Lorena Wiebes
3Chiara Consonni

Other stages

DateRaceDistanceWinnerBest SD-worx cyclist
10/02/2023stage 2 - Al Dhafra Castle - Al Mirfa133 kmLorena WiebesLorena Wiebes (1°)
11/02/2023stage 3 - Hazza bin Zayed Stadium - Jebel Hafeet107 kmElisa Longo-Borghini
12/02/2023stage 4 - Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy - Abu Dhabi Breakwater119 kmCharlotte KoolLorena Wiebes (3°)
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