Elisa Longo Borghini: Queen of Jebel Hafeet
In a thrilling display of cycling prowess, Elisa Longo Borghini, the defending champion, secured her third overall victory in the 2026 UAE Tour Women. Her dominance on the final stage, a grueling climb up Jebel Hafeet, left no doubt about her mastery of the sport.
But here's where it gets controversial... Longo Borghini's win was not without its challenges. With a three-kilometer solo attack, she left her competitors in her dust, but the race unfolded with several twists and turns that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
Let's dive into the dramatic events of the final stage and uncover the key moments that led to Longo Borghini's triumph.
The Race Unfolds
The 156-kilometer stage began with a solo attack by Sara Luccon of Top Girls Fassa Bortolo. Luccon's bold move aimed to reclaim the intermediate sprint jersey, and her advantage grew to an impressive 3:35 minutes. She took the lead in the intermediate sprint classification, showcasing her determination.
As the race progressed, Amber van der Hulst (VolkerWessels) made a break from the peloton, gaining a minute-long lead as she ventured into the desert west of Al Ain. However, the peloton's pace picked up, and the crosswinds failed to create the echelons needed to split the group.
Several attacks came and went, but it was on the 10.8-kilometer finishing climb that the real drama unfolded. UAE Team ADQ took control, reducing the peloton to a select group of less than 20 riders. Karlijn Swinkels and Silvia Persico set the pace, with Longo Borghini closely following.
Amanda Spratt initiated the first attack, joined by Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. This front group of six included Monica Trinca Colonel, Femke de Vries, Niamh Fisher-Black, and Le Court-Pienaar. Fisher-Black and Trinca Colonel attempted to break away, but Niewiadoma-Phinney shut down their moves.
With 4 kilometers to go, Niewiadoma-Phinney accelerated, but Longo Borghini's response was swift and decisive. She left the Polish champion behind and maintained her lead, ensuring a solo victory and her third UAE Tour Women title in four years.
And this is the part most people miss... The battle for second place was just as intense. Femke de Vries and Monica Trinca Colonel fought for the final podium spot. De Vries, with her earlier bonus seconds, held a slight advantage, but Trinca Colonel launched an attack on the final ramp, finishing two seconds ahead and securing her place in the GC due to the bonus seconds for second place.
The Winners and the Jerseys
Longo Borghini's victory was celebrated alongside other notable achievements. Eleonora Ciabocco, just 21 years old, won the white jersey for the best U23 rider, while Lorena Wiebes, the three-time stage winner, took home the green points jersey. Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto dominated the team classification.
So, what do you think? Was Longo Borghini's victory a testament to her skill, or did the race unfold in her favor? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss the controversies and highlights of this thrilling UAE Tour Women's edition!
