UAE Tour 2025, February 6-9 (women's)

[Samu Cuenca]

Ok, the peloton has at least taken back about over a minute now, if we can trust the time gaps. Still I'm worried the gap was to big to begin with, and that they won't be able to cooperate for long enough to actually close it.

It would have been better if there had been another GC rider in that group. Swinkels could possibly do well enough, especially if she has a lead over most of the others before tomorrow, but she's of course also riding for UAE. Weird that ELB didn't cross the line first in the second sprint.

 

[Didinho]

Also Wiebes maybe working less if it comes all back together. Hope we have a peloton sprint in the end so I’m not watching the same thing untill the finish.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Also Wiebes maybe working less if it comes all back together. Hope we have a peloton sprint in the end so I’m not watching the same thing untill the finish.

We seem to have come to a stand-still where the gaps are stuck at around a minute in-between the groups, so it's still advantage UAE.

 

[Lequack]

This will give Longho Borghini a big advantage in GC. Even Wiebes could go for GC with this advantage.
It seems that if SD Worx is not in the peloton, it's just weak. If they were chasing the gap would go down quickly.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1887833438876483947

View: https://x.com/faustocoppi60/status/1887833438876483947

 

[Samu Cuenca]

This will give Longho Borghini a big advantage in GC. Even Wiebes could go for GC with this advantage.
It seems that if SD Worx is not in the peloton, it's just weak. If they were chasing the gap would go down quickly.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1887833438876483947

View: https://x.com/faustocoppi60/status/1887833438876483947

SDW don't have a GC rider in the race, so they would have no reason to pull anyway.

 

[Didinho]

Curious about the UAE tactics for the stage win now. Or Lorena just Stannard this group.

 

[Lequack]

Wiebes might win tomorrow as well who knows, I remember one year she went up the climb pretty far.

 

[Didinho]

As expected.

Gillespie also taking seconds away.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I was worried Wiebes would not win when she decided to follow ELB's wheel, but there was time enough for her to get round Gillespie before the line.

 

[Mina.S]

Very impressed by PFP. If her climbing is good then this is quite positive.

 

[Didinho]

They could’ve just let one go in the leadout. Make Wiebes work for it. But it was all for GC unfortunately.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Wiebes and Williams clearly worked too much. At least one of the UAE riders should have been dropped before the finish due to fatigue. Let's hope the wind plays ball again tomorrow and other teams can take their revenge.

 

[Lequack]

I totally forgot Elisa is now on UAE and not Lidl Trek anymore.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Bit silly from Gillespe but I suppose it won't really matter.

 

[yaco]

GC is over. Wiebes could end up with 200 wins in her career. I'm impressed with how aggressively the peleton today. May this continue.

 

[Lequack]

Some pics

 

[Unchained]

Lequack..great pictures!! I loved the force of a selection on plan flat ground!! Easy to do for sure but to sustain it was impressive!!
And the strength of the front breakaway was really visible.. Nobody tried to cross Wiebes looking like she could have beat the group from 500 meters out, she looks fantastic when she gets out of the saddle and starts winding it up!! And 3 Colnago space bikes in front group.. random? Or do we need to buy the new designs!!

 

[awavey]

Well apparently today's stage was the fastest average speed of a women's world tour stage ever. 48.407km/h.

Beating last years record set at 46.75km/h at La Vuelta Femenina

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Well apparently today's stage was the fastest average speed of a women's world tour stage ever. 48.407km/h.

Beating last years record set at 46.75km/h at La Vuelta Femenina

Pink Riband?

 

[Lequack]

Interesting, they caught the break with 80km to go, what happens now?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888167601450197218

View: https://x.com/ceratizit_wnt/status/1888167601450197218

 

[Lequack]

No new break yet now with 70k to go. But they're going quite fast.

 

[Lequack]

They've change direction, we might get crosswind action now!
Echelons starting to form

 

[Lequack]

Elisa Longho Borghini again managed to sneak in the front group.

 

[RedheadDane]

Cofidis with the classic three-rider attack. Though, one of them quickly got caught again (or dropped back).
Lach then bridge to the two remaining (Berteau and Dideriksen).

 

[awavey]

tell me youve spent too long in a comms box with Marty, without telling me.

geez, I like Jo as co commentator, but how many races has she watched by now and yet shes still obsessing over Pfeiffers GC position and chances to win the overall race, or be allowed a stage win.

also apparently its hot in the desert...who knew