Lorena Wiebes takes Stage 1 honours and red jersey in UAE Tour Women

Lorena Wiebes clinched Stage 1 of the UAE Tour Women on Thursday to claim the red jersey and become the first race leader of 2024.

The 24-year-old won 12 races in 2023 and started the new season with yet another victory in the 122km stage that started from the Dubai Miracle Garden and ended in a sprint finish at Dubai Harbour.

Team SD-Worx’s Dutch rider was denied the stage win by countrywoman Charlotte Kool on a dramatic opening day 12 months ago, but in the absence of the DSM rider this time round, there was no denying Wiebes.

Led out brilliantly by teammate and world champion Lotte Kopecky, Wiebes crossed the finishing line ahead of Rachele Barbieri of Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL and UAE Team ADQ’s Chiara Consonni, in second and third respectively.

“It feels great to win the first race of the season. It’s always nice to win,” Wiebes said.

“It was a big chaos in the fight before the final corner but I still had Lotte Kopecky and she made it perfect. She’s a great rider to have to help. I’m happy with how we work together.

“We planned to be on the right as much as possible for the wind. It worked out. We now have the race lead and so there’ll be pressure on us for stage 2 but we’re ready for that.”

And Wiebes revealed that she and her teammates have been enjoying the sights – and heights – since arriving in the UAE.

Lorena Wiebes is on another level