Previewing the UAE Tour Women
The second edition of the UAE Tour Women returns from the 8th - 11th February 2024 with 4 stages that will see the world's top female cyclists gather to showcase their talent. Set against the stunning backdrop of the United Arab Emirates, this race promises thrilling competition and breathtaking scenery.
As the pinnacle of women's cycling in the region, the UAE Tour Women attracts elite riders from across the globe, with 4 days of racing incorporating the sprinter's stages in Dubai, the classic mountain top finish of Jebel Hafeet before the race comes to it’s fast and furious conclusion in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Each stage presents its own challenges, testing the riders' strength, skill, and teamwork.
As the home race of UAE Team ADQ there’s an added incentive to perform well and the team has named a strong roster including:
Tereza Neumanová
3 x Czech National Champion, a Sprinter who previously achieved a podium finish in a stage of the Tour de Suisse Women.
Chiara Consonni
Italian Sprinter, who took GC at the 2023 Tour of Chongming Island.
Alena Amialiusik
Experienced Belarussian Climber, who holds 5 x National Champion titles and excels in both road racing and time trials.
Erica Magnaldi
Italian Climber who finished 5th at the 2023 edition of the Giro d'Italia Donne.
Karlijn Swinkels
Dutch All-Rounder who took the GC at the 2023 AG Tour de la Semois.
Silvia Persico
Dutch All-Rounder who took the GC at the 2023 AG Tour de la Semois.
The team has been assembled with the GC in mind, with the penultimate Presight Stage, finishing atop Jebel Hafeet likely to be the deciding factor in a race that includes 3 flat stages and 1 climb. Although the team will have one eye on Stage 3, they’ll need to guard against the risk of splits forming in the peloton and time gaps emerging on the flat stages.
We’ve summarised each stage below, to give you a guide on how, when and where to watch the key moments of this race.
Stage 1: Dubai Stage
Start: 13:20 on Thursday, 8th February 2024
122 km from Dubai Miracle Garden to Dubai Harbour
Starting in Dubai Miracle Garden, the race will pass the classic sites of these stages such as Dubai Sports City, Al Qudra Cycle Track, and Dubai Global Village finishing in Dubai Harbour. It’s a classic Sprinters stage that provides several opportunities for spectators both at the finish village in Dubai Harbour, but also at Al Qudra Roundabout, where the race will pass on 3 occasions.
In partnership with UAE Team ADQ and WMN Moving Forward, we will be hosting a ride along during stage 1, following the race up and down
Al Qudra Street from BOTS to Last Exit and back. The cycle track running parallel to the road provides an incredible opportunity to spectate, and even see how long you can keep pace with the Pros!
We’ll be meeting at 13:00 at BOTS and splitting into two groups.
A 'Casual' Group: This group will set off down the stick at roughly 13:30 and ride to the Last Exit roundabout to watch the race. The race will pass the Last Exit roundabout 3 times so this will be a prime place to watch the race unfold. This group will be led by Rona from the Women Moving Forward ADQ Team.
A 'Chase' Group: This Group will set off alongside the UAE Tour peloton and attempt to keep pace with the Pros for as long as possible. If you get dropped don't worry we'll all meet at Last Exit to watch the race. This group will be led by Graham, Team Manager of the Wolfi's Racing Team.
Stage 2: Modon Stage
Start: 13:25 on Friday, 9th February 2024
113 km from Al Mirfa (Bab Al Nojoum) to Madinat Zayed
Stage 2 moves to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, starting from Al Mirfa on the Arabian Gulf coast before heading inland through the desert to Madinat Zayed. On paper this is a Sprint stage but one that could easily be impacted by the weather, with cross tailwinds expected, it’s likely to be a very fast race with a chance that splits could emerge in the group.
It’s likely to be an entertaining stage, but the location does not lend itself to roadside spectating, as a result, we would encourage anyone interested in watching the race to join us in one of the Official Fan Zones, located in Wolfi’s Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Wolfi’s Al Hudayriat Island, Colnago Abu Dhabi and The Service Course Abu Dhabi
Stage 3: Presight Stage
Start: 12:55 on Saturday, 10th February 2024
128 km from Al Ain Police Museum to Jebel Hafeet
The classic mountain stage of the UAE Tour. The route winds its way through Al Ain, where many of its landmarks are visited including Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, UAE University, and Green Mubazzarah where the final climb of Jebel Hafeet begins. The final 10 km section will likely decide the General Classification and provide many spectating points throughout the climb.
In partnership with UAE Team ADQ and WMN Moving Forward, we will be encouraging participation in the UAE Tour Challenge for amateurs, an event that is held just before the pro race and offers three challenging distances of 15km, 30km, and 60km. All routes provide the opportunity to test yourself on the ascent of Jebel Hafeet and means that you’ll be able to watch the Women’s race come through from the Race Village located at the top of the mountain.
Stage 4: Aldar Stage
Start: 13:55 on Sunday, 11th February 2024
105 km from Louvre Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Breakwater
The final stage, starting from Louvre Abu Dhabi, heads via Saadiyat Island to Yas Marina before returning to Abu Dhabi City and passes through Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island before arriving at Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a sprint finish.
We’ll be adapting our usual Weekly Colnago ride, starting from Al Hudayriat Island, so you can watch the start of the race on the big screen in Colnago Abu Dhabi, then cycling to the Abu Dhabi Breakwater for the finish.