TOP RIDERS SET FOR THE UAE TOUR WOMEN 2025

Six stars from the pro peloton spoke to the media this afternoon in a press conference ahead of the start of the 2025 UAE Tour Women tomorrow, organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and taking place from 6 to 9 February.

Taking questions from the media were the following top-class riders:

The winner of the 2023 edition Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), two-time bronze medallist in the Olympic Road Race (2016 and 2020) and winner of the Giro d'Italia Women in 2024.

Twelve-time World Champion and cross country Olympic Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).

The European champion Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime), winner of three stages in the two previous editions.

Charlotte Kool (Team Picnic PostNL), winner of two stages in the opening edition of the UAE Tour Women.

The French national champion Juliette Labous (FDJ - SUEZ), 2nd placed at the Giro d'Italia Women in 2023.

The 2021 World Champion Elisa Balsamo (Lidl - Trek), set for making her debut in the UAE Tour Women.

Elisa Longo Borghini: "Being in a new team, I’m very motivated to represent UAE Team ADQ here in the UAE among these strong women. I’m just looking forward to racing. I came here very happy. The winter went fell. We tried to have everything set up pretty early, new equipment, bikes, clothing, nutrition, it went smoothly. I feel fine. I’m quite ready to race, but I don’t know where I’m standing. The general classification will be decided in the wind and at Jebel Hafeet".

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot: "I’m quite happy to ride in warm conditions for my big come back for a full road season. The team decided for me to start racing here in a bunch because the roads are wider than in Valencia and it’ll be a good test in the Jebel Hafeet climb to compare myself with the other riders. It’s been a good winter with my new team, although it means lots of changes. Preparation is done. I feel quite good".

Lorena Wiebes: "I’m back with my lead out from last year Barbara Guarischi plus the new one Marta Lach. We did some trainings together, we’ll see if it works in the race. So far my best memory of the UAE Tour is when I took my first win for Team SD Worx in 2023. Last year, the whole UAE Tour was very successful for us with Lotte [Kopecky] winning GC as well. This year’s field features a lot of strong sprinters and lead outs, it’ll let us see who has the strongest lead out".

Charlotte Kool: "It feels good to be back here after missing out last year. After my 2024 season ended with a broken collarbone, I’ve had a chaotic winter with surgeries, change of equipment… It’s been a different winter. I think I’m ready but we’ll see. The stages of the UAE Tour are quite similar to two years ago when I did really well. In every sport, it’s nice to see a rivalry, with Lorena [Wiebes], we get the best out of each other, but we’re not only two sprinters in this race, also Elisa [Balsamo] and a good bunch of sprinters. It makes it really nice!".

Juliette Labous: "I’m happy to discover Jebel Hafeet and the UAE Tour Women. Everything is new to me here, also being part of a French team for the first time, although it’s a very international team, and it feels really nice. I don’t have big expectations, it’ll be a good race to test the legs and take my marks for the season. It’s windy, so we’ll have to be sharp on every stage, it’s an exciting race for sprinters and climbers. It’s gonna be a nice week. With the Tour Down Under in Australia, the Tour of Valencia in Spain and the UAE Tour, we have more opportunities for women to resume racing, it’s great".

Elisa Balsamo: "I’m really happy to be in the UAE for the first time. I know it’s kind of the sprinters’ world championship. So I’m looking forward to discovering it, especially because I like racing with this weather and the temperatures we have here. We have a good team, we’re ready to fight with a lot of energy".

To find out more about the UAE Tour Women, including details of the official race route, jerseys and sponsors, visit www.theuaetourwomen.com.