Wiebes pushed close but completes hat trick on stage 3 of UAE Tour Women

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) completed a hat-trick of victories at the UAE Tour Women, winning stage 3 at Abu Dhabi Breakwater. 

It was the closest that Wiebes has been pushed so far in this race, with Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) hot on the heels of the dominant Dutch sprinter after an impressive sprint in second. Former world champion Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis) sprinted to third on the stage.

After winning in the same location twelve months ago, Wiebes proved once again to be the fastest sprinter in the peloton, taking her ninth victory at the UAE Tour Women in total, and landing her 121st professional victory.

Nina Berton (EF Education-Oatly) made the sprinters work hard in the finale as the Luxembourg rider had attacked inside the final 40km, and after a strong and spirited performance, was caught with only under 5km remaining. 

Ultimately, the final outcome was the same, victory for Wiebes, though it was arguably the Dutch rider’s hardest-fought success of the race so far. Post-finish, Wiebes explained how things had become complicated when she lost her lead out. 

"It was a difficult sprint because I lost Barbara Guarischi. So I had to find my own way. That's why I had to ride through the wind a lot," said Wiebes. "But thankfully, I can thank the team for all their hard work today."

A five-rider breakaway formed featuring April Tacey (Hitec Products-Fluid Control), Elisa De Vallier (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), Sara Luccon (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), Sonia Rossetti (Vini Fantini - BePink), and Gaia Segato (Vini Fantini - BePink).

With 40km to go, Nina Berton (EF Education-Oatly) attacked, and the breakaway was caught. Shortly after, Monica Castagna (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) attacked from the peloton and attempted to join Berton. However, the Italian rider was stuck in the chase, as Berton continued to power along with her advantage of over a minute

Through the intermediate sprint with around 25km, a group jumped off the front of the peloton featuring Franziska Koch (Picnic PostNL), Margaux Vigié (Visma | Lease a Bike) and a rider from UAE Team ADQ. But it didn’t last long as Koch was the only rider fully committed to the attack, and the trio were caught. 

Meanwhile, Berton continued to power along and held a 45-second advantage with 10km remaining. However, with plenty of long and straight roads, the peloton could see Berton in the distance, making the catch inevitable ahead of a third sprint finish.

As had been the case in previous stages, Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) was among those working on the front of the peloton towards the flamme rouge. With 2km to go, Kim Le Court moved to the front alongside her AG Insurance-Soudal teammates.

Cofidis were well placed under the flamme rouge, and it was Koch of Picnic PostNL who wound up the sprint, before Wiebes rocketed her way to the line but was pushed all the way by green jersey wearer Lara Gillespie.

Attention will now turn to the battle for the general classification, with the final stage showdown on Jebel Hafeet.