The UAE Tour Women 2025 starts on Thursday, with three flat stages and a summit finish atop Jebel Hafeet. There is always a risk of crosswinds and echelon racing in the UAE but the flat stages will surely see some of the biggest sprinters in the women’s peloton go head to head.

Twenty teams will race on the fast flat and wide roads of the UAE, with warm temperatures and crosswinds likely in the next few days.

Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), Charlotte Kool (Team Picnic PostNL) and Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) will be fighting for the stage victories.

“It’s the first time for me racing here and it’s the sprinting world championship,” said Balsamo. “We have a good team and we are ready to fight.”

Kool won two stages in the 2023 edition but missed last year’s race because of sickness. Her winter has been affected by the consequences of her broken collarbone at the Tour de France Femmes.

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